Allan Smith Varner, residing in South Bend, passed away at 1:20 a.m. Thursday, January 7, 2021 in his home, at the age of 99 years old. He was born September 29, 1921 in Waynesburg, PA, a son of the late Arleigh & Lida Mae (Smith) Varner, and has lived most of his life in South Bend, coming from Knox, PA.
On April 8, 1944 in Edenton. North Carolina, Allan was united in marriage to Marlys J. Richardson. Together, they enjoyed 66 years of marriage until her passing on March 29, 2010.
He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Sarah Closser and Ellen Phillips, and two brothers, Harold and Raymond Varner.
Mr. Varner was Co-Owner and Real Estate Broker of Forbes Varner Realty Company in South Bend. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in South Bend where he served as an usher for many years. He was a member of Lodge 550 Free & Accepted Masons of Knox, PA; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, and Orak Shrine in Michigan City where he played clarinet with the brass band, and was a member of South Bend Elks #235. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp. during WWII. where served as pilot and flew B-25s in the South Pacific, and continued to meet with his Marine Corp. friends at reunions for many years. Mr. Varner was also a member of the Pioneer Automobile Club of St. Joseph County where he was proud to drive his 1926 Chevrolet.
He is survived by his daughter, Christine Murphy (Dana Hook) of Tucson, AZ; his son, Dr. David (Pattie) Varner of South Bend; five grandchildren, Sarah (Adam) Hunt, Anne (Greg) Cunningham, Joshua (Connie) Murphy, Eric (Lauren) Varner, and Dana (Luke) Lori, along with nine great-grandchildren, Sam, Isabelle, Grant, Tyler, Matthew, Porter, Elise, Roman, and Hudson, and his brother, Donald Varner of Cary, NC.
Family and friends may gather on Wednesday, January 13, from 12 Noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan St., South Bend. Graveside services and military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Southlawn Cemetery. The graveside service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend. You can watch it live here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Vg-irLZOw&feature=youtu.be
Contributions in memory of Mr. Varner may be offered to the Greene County Historical Society, 918 Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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