Grand Funk’s Mark Farner Loses Son After Long Health Battle

Jesse Farner, the 29-year-old son of Mark Farner, passed away last week after battling health issues for nearly a decade.

Farner and his wife Lesia announced the news on Facebook, saying "Jesse gained his Independence back after his long Earthly journey came to an end the night of July 4th."

While on a camping trip with friends in 2010, Jesse Farner was doing backflips off a table and broke his neck. He was rendered a quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair. He was a remote control car enthusiast and learned to control both RC cars and his wheelchair by blowing into a straw.

"To us, his family, he was the bravest soul we’ve ever had the privilege of loving. He was a Son, a Brother, a Friend cousin, uncle, and a Comrade to many. His absence of Body leaves a big void but…His Spirit lives strong in our hearts."

Mark Farner's career began as a teenager in Flint as a member of Terry Knight and the Pack. Farner and Pack member Don Brewer then went on to form supergroup Grand Funk Railroad in 1968.

Mark Farner's American Band is scheduled to appear with Ted Nugent and Blue Oyster Cult at DTE Energy Music Theatre on July 20th.