Dennis Howard Varner

November 18, 1940 – March 15, 2026

Dennis Howard Varner, age 85, of rural Buffalo passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at the Glenn in Buffalo.

He was born on November 18th, 1940 during the aftermath of the Armistice day blizzard, having made their way to the hospital by horse drawn sled.

Dennis was a born farmer. As a boy, he was active in 4-H, FFA and working on the family farm with his brothers, Richard and Ronald, and his parents Howard and Fern.

In the early 1960's Dennis was drafted and served in the US Army stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. During that time he was a mechanic, gas station attendant and was assigned to crowd control operations in Detroit during civil unrest. With the Vietnam conflict arising, he was asked to re-inlist after serving his time, he declined and went home to milk cows on the family farm.

In 1978, Dennis married Mary and the two were together until her death in 2002.

Dennis, alongside his brothers and father, were crop and dairy farmers until the later 1980's. He was also raising sheep during that time which became what many people knew him for. He had a real admiration for sheep and at times had up to 300 head. He was always delighted to have visitors come out to see the lambs in the spring or let kids come to feed an orphan bottle lamb.

Dennis was also a school bus driver in BHM for 26 years. He liked the early mornings and flexibility of being able to farm and drive bus. He made many friends of students throughout the years and was happy to stop and chat with former riders.

Dennis will be remembered for his shy, kind and gentle spirit as well as his knowledge in farming and freelance mechanics. Always carrying a pair of pliers and having length of baylor twine handy, most issues could be quickly remedied.

Dennis is survived by his daughter Kristi Varner, step children: Jack Clark, Debby Eldridge and Tim Clark. Grandchildren Wyatt Scarbrough, Chad Perrault, Brandon Vigdor, Zachary Eldridge, Sheena Clark, John Clark, Jacklyn Clark,

Preceded in death by his wife Mary, brothers Ronald and Richard, and parents Howard and Fern.

Funeral services will be held on March 28th at 11:00 AM at the Buffalo United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, one hour prior to services.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com