Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-life-panel.jpg

Landis "Mac" McFinton

January 15, 1937 - November 12, 2012
Portage, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-01.jpg



Service

Thursday, November 15, 2012
5:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

A reception will be held following the service in the Life Story Center.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

West Michigan Cancer Center
200 North Park Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 382-2500
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Schafer's Flowers Inc.
3274 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(800) 760-7050
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

Landis “Mac” McFinton was a loyal friend, a devoted family man, and never met a stranger. A true people person, Landis loved sharing stories and jokes with others, and his infectious laughter was a familiar sound to friends and family. He had a warm and outgoing personality that drew others to him – people usually said of Mac that they “liked him the moment they met him.” Landis brightened the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, and his kind heart, friendly smile, and upbeat personality will be deeply missed.

Landis was born on January 15, 1937, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sadly, after losing his parents at a young age, Landis then became the son of Robert (Bob) and Ardale (Mike) Short, who had two daughters of their own, Sharon and Susan.

Landis attended Portage schools, where he was a popular and well-liked student. An all-round athlete, Landis competed on the basketball, wrestling, track and football teams. He played defensive tackle in football, and was on the varsity team for four years. Landis also held several leadership positions during his high school years, including Captain of the football team and President of the Varsity Club.

After graduating from high school in 1956, Mac enlisted in the Marine Corp. He was posted to Barstow, California where he served his country as a supply clerk for two years. Back home in Michigan, Landis enrolled in Western Michigan University’s School of Business.

One evening on a blind date, Landis met the young woman who would be the love of his life: Mollie Lancaster. Mollie lived and worked in Battle Creek, Michigan, and they hit it off right away. Landis and Mollie started dating, and on July 11, 1964, the happy couple was married at the First Baptist Church of Battle Creek. Originally planning to go to Boston for their honeymoon, Landis and Mollie stopped at Cape Cod on the way and never left! They loved the place, and stayed there for the whole week of their honeymoon (Mollie had her first lobster here).

Landis and Mollie settled down in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Landis was still finishing his degree at WMU, as well as working at Sears selling shoes. After Mac graduated in 1965, the young couple moved to New York, where Mac found a job in the HR department of Corning Glass. A few more years passed by, and the McFintons returned to the Midwest as Mac took a job with Anchor Hocking Glass in Lancaster, Ohio. Mac also spent time in Menominee Falls and Kalamazoo, where he worked for National Waterlift.

In the meantime, Landis and Mollie’s family had grown to include three new members: Patrick, Andy, and Kellie. Landis loved being a father, and his kids took after their father in terms of athletic prowess. Landis spent many afternoons taking them fishing and golfing, and always cheered at their little league and soccer games.

Eventually, Landis decided to open his own company: McFinton and Associates. He established the company in 1985, and focused on manufacturing and production engineering within the auto industry. Landis loved his job, and people loved working with Landis – he was a real people person, and created a great workplace environment for all his employees. He owned and operated this company for over twenty years.

When they had the chance, Landis and Mollie enjoyed hosting family gatherings at Amelia Island, Florida. They were also avid golfers, and could often be spotted golfing together on the local course. Other hobbies included fishing for steelhead, bird hunting, and woodworking – in fact, many beautiful examples of Mac’s work can be seen around their home. To relax, Landis enjoyed reading history books, listening to Billie Holiday, and following college football (especially MSU and WMU).

As the years went by, Landis became a proud grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandkids, and shared his love of nature with them through fishing, bird watching, and nature walks.

Six months ago, Landis was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Although he fought courageously, the disease continued to spread.

Friendly, fun-loving, and kind-hearted, Landis was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Landis “Mac” McFinton died on November 12, 2012, at the age of 75. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his sister, Susan Shoup. Landis’ family includes his wife of 48 years, Mollie McFinton; his children, Patrick (Alli) McFinton, Andrew (Jennifer) McFinton and Kellie (Tobias) Bridges; his grandchildren, Madison, Ian and Cameron Bridges, Sean and Charlie McFinton and Lucy McFinton; his sister, Sharon (Tom) Hodgson; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Dr., 375-2900, followed by a reception in the Life Story Center. Memorial donations may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or West Michigan Cancer Center. Please visit Landis’ personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/011/84697/84697-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg