Roy Daniel Varner, 95, died Sunday, December 20, 2015 at his home in McAlisterville.
He was born on November 27, 1920, in Fayette Township, Juniata County to the late Jonas and Edna (Dunn) Varner. His wife of 73 years, Betty A. (Hepner) Varner, whom he married on August 12, 1942, survives.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Clair Varner and wife Kathy, Connie Wagner and husband Donald, all of McAlisterville, Crystal Elsasser and husband Ryan, of Mifflintown; two siblings Jimmy Varner and Betty Colyer, both of McAlisterville; six grandchildren, Brett Wagner and wife Denise, Amy Strawser and husband Craig, André Varner and wife Jennifer, Shane Varner and wife Krista, Courtney Elsasser and Caitlin Elsasser, and eight great-grandchildren Janelle Strawser, Leah Strawser, Racheal Swartwood and husband Ryan, Wyatt Wagner, Jared Wagner, Jessie Wagner, Trevor Varner, and Marin Varner.
Preceding him in death were 5 brothers, Lee Varner, Raymond Varner, Adam Varner, Ira Varner, and Stanley Varner, and 4 sisters, Ruth Phillips, Pauline Amey, Freda Rauch, and Grace Hepner.
Mr. Varner was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church, McAlisterville and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, who served from August 11, 1942 to October 8, 1945 originally with the 406th Antiaircraft Artillery, until 1944 when it was disbanded and he became part of the 367th Combat Engineers as a Corporal.
After he was discharged from the army, he worked at a sawmill, before switching to construction as a cement finisher.
When he retired, Roy enjoyed woodworking, gardening, hunting, fishing, reading, and doing word find puzzles. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2015 from the St. John’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Candace Arnold officiating. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery, where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veterans Council.
A viewing will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to SUN Home Health and Hospice, 61 Duke Street, PO Box 232, Northumberland, PA 17857, or to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 33401 Rt. 35 N, McAlisterville, PA 17049.