McALISTERVILLE, Ira L. Varner, 90, passed away at his home in McAlisterville at 4:00 a.m., on Monday, October 22, 2012, surrounded by his family.
Born on July 26, 1922 in Fayette Twp., Juniata County, he was a son of the late Jonas and Edna (Dunn) Varner. On June 28, 1947 he married his surviving wife, Ella Mae (Colyer) Varner, with whom he shared more than 65 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Lana J. Vaner, Dean E. Varner and his wife Jody; two brothers, Roy D. Varner and his wife Betty, Jimmy L. Varner and his wife Jolene and one sister, Betty Colyer, all of McAlisterville. He also leaves behind two granddaughters Rebecca L. Brubaker and her husband Brent, of McAlisterville and Katie E. Hosler and her husband Joseph, of Port Royal.
Four brothers, Lee W. Varner, Raymond E. Varner, J. Adam Varner, Stanley S. Varner and four sisters, Ruth Phillips, Pauline Amey, Freda Rauch and Grace Hepner, preceded him in death.
Mr. Varner was educated at Union School, Fayette Twp., and he was a life-long member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, Cocolamus.
He was a veteran of WW II, having proudly served his country with the U.S. Army‘s 11th Airborne Division, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a qualified paratrooper.
Until his retirement in 1984, he worked at H.P. McGinley, Inc., McAlisterville.
Ira’s hobbies were woodworking and reading western novels. In earlier life he enjoyed hunting and fishing; however, he cherished spending time with his family, being a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from the St. John’s United Methodist Church, Cocolamus with his pastor, the Rev. Candace Arnold officiating. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery.
Viewing will be from 4-8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday, at the church.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Varner’s memory to the St. John’s United Methodist Church, 33401 Rt. 35 North, McAlisterville, PA 17049 or to the Home Nursing Agency Foundation, P.O. Box 352, 201 Chestnut Ave., Altoona, PA 16603-0352.
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