Carl Frederick Varner

Carl Frederick Varner MARION-Carl Frederick Varner, 71, of Marion passed away at 6:00 PM, Friday, May 23, 2008 at the VA Medical Center in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 30, 2008 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Chaplain Harold Landwehr officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the National Guard. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the VFW Ritual Team; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Carl was born September 23, 1936 in Belleville, Illinois to Carl and June (Houghland) Varner. He married Norma Pilbean in 1958 and later married Sandra Ohlemeyer in 2003. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Patty Varner of Arizona; daughters and sons-in-law, Mari and Dan Mender of California, Linda and Todd Truitt of Arizona and Laurie and Richie Galaska of Arizona; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; sister and brother-in-law, Denise and Lyndal Graff of Marion; brother, Kelly Varner of Paducah; and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Carl currently worked as a Veterans Service Officer at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs in Marion. He served his country with the United States Air Force from 1957 through 1982, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. Carl’s many service decorations include Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Presidential Unit Citation. He was a member of the Marion VFW Post 1301.