Charles Howard Varner

Charles Howard Varner, 88, of Fairmont, passed away Sunday morning (Jan. 4, 2009) at his residence. He was born May 15, 1920, in Marion County, the son of the late Burt and Georgia SellersVarner. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara F. Varner, who died in 2003.Mr. Varner was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fairmont, having been active in church for 70 years. He retired from Monongahela Power Co., Rivesville Plant, with 35 years of service as a results technician.He served in the 8th U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, serving in the 95th Bomb Group, and stationed in Horham, England, from 1941 to 1945. He was a member of the Tau Beta Iota Fraternity at Fairmont State College and the alumni association. Mr. Varner was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 294 of Fairmont, and a member of the Young at Heart Group in Central United Methodist Church. He also was a life-time member of the Fairmont VFW. He was a former member of the Sunny Croft County Club in Clarksburg where he actively golfed until his mid-eighties. Mr. Varner leaves behind many wonderful friends and neighbors, especially Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bruce.Survivors include two sons, James A. Varner and his fiancee Debra Herron of Clarksburg, and John D. and his wife Cindy Varner of Shippensburg, Pa.; a daughter, Vicki and her husband William T. Wilson of Morgantown; nine grandchildren, James A. Varner Jr. of Washington, D.C., BreiAnne Ruth Varner of Clarksburg, Natalie and husband Robert Milvet of Morgantown, Beth and husband Jeffrey Minchau of Morgantown, Mathew Burt Varner of Venice, Fla., Justin Patrick Varner of Duck Key, Fla., Christopher Ryan Varner of Venice, Fla., Sean David Varner of Fairfax, Va., and Amanda Lee Varner of Pittsburgh, Pa.; four great-grandchildren, Allison and Olivia Groves, and Owen and Ryan Minchau, all of Morgantown.He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Varner.Friends may call at Ford Funeral Homes, R.C. Jones Chapel, 1410 Country Club Rd., Fairmont, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday and 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Wednesday with Pastor D. D. Meighen officiating. Burial will follow in Bridgeport Cemetery, Bridgeport. The Marion County Military Veterans Council will conduct flag-folding services in the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.