Merle Varner

1924 - 2021

Merle "Bud" Varner passed peacefully in his sleep, January 19, 2021. Merle Edward Varner, affectionately known as "Bud", was born March 24, 1924, to Emerson and Anna Pounds Varner.

He was the youngest and was the last of six children, Raymond, Herman, Hazel, Marion and Mable.

For all but three months and his time spent overseas during World War II, Bud had called Washington his home. If you asked Bud, Washington seemed to check all of the boxes for a good life.

Growing up on Franklin Street he met and is survived by the love of his life, Evelyn "Jean" Bainer Varner.

Knowingly, Bud was one of the fortunate Marines who returned home after serving valiantly during the Pacific Theater battles of World War II. Bud was a Private First Class and a rifle marksman within the 4th Marine Division from December 1942 to October 1945 until wounded on Iwo Jima, being one of the few survivors of his unit.

His aural history is well documented and preserved at the World War II museum in New Orleans, La. Be sure to look him up if you visit there. Like many, you would have never known any of that if you were to ask Bud himself. Modestly was a virtue he valued deeply.

Upon returning home from World War II, Bud and Jean started a family of their own. Their daughter, Carol Spencer, became the light of their lives for years to come.

Bud worked for many years at the Canonsburg Pottery and eventually retired from the United States Postal Service. Rain, sleet, hail or snow, Bud caught the bus out of Washington to get back and forth to work or would walk almost everywhere he went.

When not working, Bud spent countless hours being a wonderful father and grandfather.

On various occasions Jean had returned home from work as an operator to find a catfish in her kitchen sink or ducks floating in her bathtub that Bud and Carol had brought home from one of their many adventures.

He was the champion amongst his grandchildren when it came to a game of "hot hands" or the card game "war".

Once retired, Bud and Jean loved to travel and spend their winters in Florida with the many friends they had made.

Additionally, their daughter, Carol, had helped the family continue to grow. Carol and her late husband, William Spencer, had William (Amy) Spencer of Washington, Alycia (Sam) Sepe of Canonburg, Scott (Shannon) Spencer of Washington and Bryan (Karla) Spencer of Dallas, Texas. Continuing to grow the family are great-grandchildren, Alexis (Zach) Storf, Jacob, Maddie and Jonah Spencer, Samantha and Avamaria Sepe, Cameron Street and Logan Spencer, Caroline, Will and Vivienne Spencer.

Bud was a member of the American Legion, Post 175 and Washington Elks.

Anyone wishing to honor Bud in a special way, donations can be made to Washington City Mission or Washington Food Bank.

Due to Covid-19, all services are private.

Arrangements are entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.

Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com