Ben Varner

Lt. Colonel Ben Varner, Jr., 83, passed away on February 01, 2016 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital after a brief, but valiant battle with cancer.

Ben was born on April 18, 1932 on a farm near Grandview, IN to Ben H. and Odas (Harris) Varner. He married Wandalea Johnson on April 18, 1954 in the Chrisney United Methodist Church.

Ben was a 1950 graduate of Chrisney High School where he played basketball. He graduated from Purdue University in 1954 and received his Master's Degree from Indiana University in 1960.

He served two years on active duty with the U.S. Army mostly at Ft,. Ord, CA. He stayed in the Active Army Reserve for eight years and transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserve for 13 years at Grissom Air Force Base, IN. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Ben primarily taught for 34 years in the Tell City High School Biology and Science Department. He also farmed and raised Polled Hereford cattle. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Tell City.

Ben was active and/or served in many organizations, including but not limited to: The Perry County Shrine Club; Tell City Masonic Lodge 623; Tell City Eastern Star 272; Independent Order of Odd Fellows;The local DAV Chapter; American Legion Post 213; Chrisney High School Alumni Association; Lincoln Hills Purdue Club; Polled Herford Association; and served on the American Legion Memorial Funeral Detail for the past several years.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wandalea (Johnson) Varner, brothers: Nicholas J. Varner and William G. Rice, and sisters; Elizabeth Ann Varner and Florence Spencer Varner.

He is survived by his sons: Bennie L. Varner of Evansville, IN.; Joe S. (Ann) Varner of Jasper, IN , and Brad (Marie) Varner of Granger, IN.; brother: Frank A. (Dorothy) Varner of Louisville, KY.; sister: Mary J. Smith of Walton, KY.; seven grandchildren: Amanda (Eric) Peters of Fairfax, VA; Elizabeth Varner of Evansville, IN; Paul and Scott Varner both of Jasper, IN; and Benjamin , Thomas , and Ryan Varner all of Granger, IN.; one great-grandson: Nicholas Peters of Fairfax, VA; and a special friend: Brenda Pohl of Derby, IN

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 03, 2016 at Zoercher- Gillick Funeral Home from 2:00 to 7:00 pm with Masonic Services at 7:00 pm, and Thursday February 04, 2016 from 9:00 to 10:30 am.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 04, 2016 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church in Tell City. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Chrisney, IN.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Tell City and/or The Hadi Shrine Hospital at 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

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