Rev. James Eldon Farney, 80, of Frankfort, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Monday, February 27, 2023. He was born on December 27, 1942, in Fairbury, Illinois, a son of the late Warren Marshall and Ruth Eloise (Downing) Farney.
Rev. Farney was a pastor who 
loved people, loved singing, and loved preaching the gospel message. On November 10, 1963, he married the love of his life and close ministry partner, Sharon Frances Sechrest. Rev. Farney’s life revolved around church and leading others to Christ. He served on church boards, taught Sunday School classes, sang special songs, and was a song leader. Rev. Farney pastored Pilgrim Holiness Churches in Charleston, Illinois and Frankfort, Indiana and served as an assistant pastor in Bloomington, Illinois. In addition to pastoring, he had been a talented machinist since 1963, working most recently at Pro-Tech Tool & Stamping in Frankfort. Rev. Farney deeply loved his wife and family and enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible. His beautiful granddaughter, Amanda, was so special to him.
Those left to cherish Rev. Farney’s memory include his loving wife of 59 years, Sharon Farney; his son, Rodney James (Carol) Farney of Sheridan; his granddaughter, Amanda Gross, of Sheridan; two brothers, Gerald (Brenda) Farney of Mahomet, IL and Francis “Boone” (Karen) Farney of Sullivan, IL; his sister, Martha (Jerry) Benningfield, of Fulton, MO, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort, with Pastor Bill Stucker and Rev. Donald Nichols officiating. Friends may call from 11:00 am until the time-of-service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Summit Lawn Cemetery in Westfield. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Sproles Family Funeral Home, New Castle and Goodwin Funeral Home, Frankfort. You may offer the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Rev. James Farney.