RICHFIELD, Vernon E. Varner, 88, of Richfield (Evendale), died at 1:45 a.m., on Friday, November 2, 2012 at his home.
Born on May 10, 1924 in Fayette Twp., Juniata County, he was a son of the late Frank B. and Elizabeth E. (Burris) Varner. On June 5, 1949, he married his surviving wife, Clarice E. (Nace) Varner with whom he shared more than 63 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Alan E. Varner and his wife Suzanne, of McAlisterville, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A daughter, Marilyn E. Bergerstock, a daughter-in-law, Naomi M. (Benner) Varner, preceded him in death; as well as, four brothers, Victor B. Varner, Jerome S. Varner, Marlin M. Varner, Vown W. Varner, and four sisters, Margaret Hood, Iona Seirer, Ella Strawser and Mary Strawser, making him the last of his generation.
He was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church, was a 1943 graduate of Fayette High School, McAlisterville and proudly served his country from 1946 until 1950 as a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
In earlier life Vernon farmed his brother Vown’s farm while he (Vown) was serving in the U. S. Army, after which he was employed as a lumber man for his brother-in-law, George Nace. For a time he worked as a plumber and electrician for Lloyd Zendt, until he started his own plumbing and electrical business. He then retired from Amp, Inc., Selinsgrove in 1986 after 20 years of service.
Vernon was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He also loved his church, gospel music and the winters that he spent in South Carolina and Florida
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville, with Rev. Candace Arnold and Rev. Ronald E. Landis officiating. Interment will follow in the Goodwill Cemetery, McAlisterville, where the Juniata County Veterans Council will accord full military burial honors.
There will be no viewing; however, the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, Tuesday at the funeral home.
The family will provide all funeral flowers and kindly ask that memorial donations in Mr. Varner’s memory be made to the Sun Home Health and Hospice, 61 Duke St., PO Box 232, Northumberland, PA 17857 or to the St. John’s United Methoidst Church, 33401 Rt. 35 North, McAlisterville, PA 17049.
Online tributes and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.