Ella Mae Varner, 98, of McAlisterville, passed away peacefully at 6:43 PM, Friday, July 16, 2021 at the Locust Grove Retirement Village in Mifflin.

Born on February 12, 1923 in Fayette Township, Juniata County, she was the eldest daughter of the late J. Ira and Lillian (Swartwood) Colyer. On June 28, 1947, she married her late husband, Ira L. Varner, with whom she was blessed to share more than 65 years of marriage before his passing on October 22, 2012.

She is survived by her children, Lana J. Varner, Dean E. Varner and his wife Jody, all of McAlisterville; two granddaughters Rebecca L. Brubaker and her husband Brent, of McAlisterville and Katie E. Hosler and her husband Joe, of Port Royal; four great grandchildren, Jacob, Matthew, and Jenna Brubaker and Ellie Hosler; one brother, Lee Colyer and his wife Norma of McAlisterville; one sister, Dorothy Swab and her husband Harvey of Mechanicsburg; and many generations of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, James Colyer and Lewis Colyer.

Mrs. Varner retired from Lyons Fashions in 1989 as a Seamstress and was a life-long member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, Cocolamus where she served for many years as a ladies’ class Sunday School teacher.

She was especially fond of flowers and almost any green plant, with springtime being her favorite time of year. She lived an active life and her hobbies included her flowers and plants, tatting, reading, and in earlier life, playing her accordion.

Ella Mae will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, loving the time she spent with her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville with Pastor Ronald Shupe officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John’s United Methodist Church Cemetery, Cocolamus.

Viewing will be from 5 – 7 PM on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Varner’s memory to the St. John’s Cemetery Endowment Fund, c/o Lisa Ard, 225 Cheswyck Drive, McAlisterville, PA 17049.

Online tributes and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.