Leonard E. Varner
It is with sadness that the family of Leonard Earl Varner announces the death of Leonard E. Varner Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the MidMichigan Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Lawrence Varner, Richard (Dutch) Varner and Leo Varner. Sisters, Marie Jenkins, Gert Tolly, Lorine Albee, and by his son-in-law, Ron Przystas.
Leonard was the third child born to Charles V. and Ilda (Hockemeyer) Varner, born June 5, 1923 in Midland County and has been a lifelong resident of Midland County. After graduating from the eighth grade he went to work at The Dow Chemical Company, where he worked until being drafted by the United States Army. Leonard bravely served in tank division of the US Army in the battle of Okinawa during WWII. He served from 1944 to 1946, and after his honorable discharge, it took him one year to get back to the United States. Leonard had many stories that he shared, often to his grandchildren, regarding his time served. He was on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., and a member of the American Legion, Berryhill Post 165. He had been a Grand Marshal of past Memorial Day parades and was scheduled to be Grand Marshall again, until COVID canceled the event.
Following the war he returned to Midland County where he met Erna while at a bowling event. They were married October 22, 1949 at St. John's Lutheran Church. He built a home on Olson Road, and eventually moved to the North Homer Road homestead, were they raised their family. He was Justice of the Peace, and his children laughing remember the wedding ceremonies he officiated in the living room. He enjoyed salmon fishing with his brother Lester in Ludington.
Leonard took pride in his garden, raspberries, chickens and eggs; he was a maple syrup maker, fisherman, hunter, and bowler, enjoying these activities well into his nineties. He catered hundreds of significant life events in the Midland area with his famous pig roasts where he would spend the day stoking the fire and engaging in conversation with those drawn to the smell of roasting pork. He was a fixture at the Midland County Fair where he had been a board member and volunteer for years. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and a committee member of the ASCS/FSA; founding member of the Dow High School Chain Gang, were he volunteered for over twenty-seven years.
Leonard delighted in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were all frequent visitors to the farm. He is remembered as a kind and thoughtful man who loved spending time with his family.
Rev. Joshua Parsons will officiate with interment in Homer Township Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Midland Area Veterans and the United States Army.
Published by Midland Daily News on Sep. 17, 2021.
It is with sadness that the family of Leonard Earl Varner announces the death of Leonard E. Varner Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the MidMichigan Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Lawrence Varner, Richard (Dutch) Varner and Leo Varner. Sisters, Marie Jenkins, Gert Tolly, Lorine Albee, and by his son-in-law, Ron Przystas.
Leonard was the third child born to Charles V. and Ilda (Hockemeyer) Varner, born June 5, 1923 in Midland County and has been a lifelong resident of Midland County. After graduating from the eighth grade he went to work at The Dow Chemical Company, where he worked until being drafted by the United States Army. Leonard bravely served in tank division of the US Army in the battle of Okinawa during WWII. He served from 1944 to 1946, and after his honorable discharge, it took him one year to get back to the United States. Leonard had many stories that he shared, often to his grandchildren, regarding his time served. He was on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., and a member of the American Legion, Berryhill Post 165. He had been a Grand Marshal of past Memorial Day parades and was scheduled to be Grand Marshall again, until COVID canceled the event.
Following the war he returned to Midland County where he met Erna while at a bowling event. They were married October 22, 1949 at St. John's Lutheran Church. He built a home on Olson Road, and eventually moved to the North Homer Road homestead, were they raised their family. He was Justice of the Peace, and his children laughing remember the wedding ceremonies he officiated in the living room. He enjoyed salmon fishing with his brother Lester in Ludington.
Leonard took pride in his garden, raspberries, chickens and eggs; he was a maple syrup maker, fisherman, hunter, and bowler, enjoying these activities well into his nineties. He catered hundreds of significant life events in the Midland area with his famous pig roasts where he would spend the day stoking the fire and engaging in conversation with those drawn to the smell of roasting pork. He was a fixture at the Midland County Fair where he had been a board member and volunteer for years. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and a committee member of the ASCS/FSA; founding member of the Dow High School Chain Gang, were he volunteered for over twenty-seven years.
Leonard delighted in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were all frequent visitors to the farm. He is remembered as a kind and thoughtful man who loved spending time with his family.
Rev. Joshua Parsons will officiate with interment in Homer Township Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Midland Area Veterans and the United States Army.
Published by Midland Daily News on Sep. 17, 2021.
Leonard E. Varner
It is with sadness that the family of Leonard Earl Varner announces the death of Leonard E. Varner Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the MidMichigan Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Lawrence Varner, Richard (Dutch) Varner and Leo Varner. Sisters, Marie Jenkins, Gert Tolly, Lorine Albee, and by his son-in-law, Ron Przystas.
Leonard was the third child born to Charles V. and Ilda (Hockemeyer) Varner, born June 5, 1923 in Midland County and has been a lifelong resident of Midland County. After graduating from the eighth grade he went to work at The Dow Chemical Company, where he worked until being drafted by the United States Army. Leonard bravely served in tank division of the US Army in the battle of Okinawa during WWII. He served from 1944 to 1946, and after his honorable discharge, it took him one year to get back to the United States. Leonard had many stories that he shared, often to his grandchildren, regarding his time served. He was on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., and a member of the American Legion, Berryhill Post 165. He had been a Grand Marshal of past Memorial Day parades and was scheduled to be Grand Marshall again, until COVID canceled the event.
Following the war he returned to Midland County where he met Erna while at a bowling event. They were married October 22, 1949 at St. John's Lutheran Church. He built a home on Olson Road, and eventually moved to the North Homer Road homestead, were they raised their family. He was Justice of the Peace, and his children laughing remember the wedding ceremonies he officiated in the living room. He enjoyed salmon fishing with his brother Lester in Ludington.
Leonard took pride in his garden, raspberries, chickens and eggs; he was a maple syrup maker, fisherman, hunter, and bowler, enjoying these activities well into his nineties. He catered hundreds of significant life events in the Midland area with his famous pig roasts where he would spend the day stoking the fire and engaging in conversation with those drawn to the smell of roasting pork. He was a fixture at the Midland County Fair where he had been a board member and volunteer for years. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and a committee member of the ASCS/FSA; founding member of the Dow High School Chain Gang, were he volunteered for over twenty-seven years.
Leonard delighted in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were all frequent visitors to the farm. He is remembered as a kind and thoughtful man who loved spending time with his family.
Rev. Joshua Parsons will officiate with interment in Homer Township Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Midland Area Veterans and the United States Army.
Published by Midland Daily News on Sep. 17, 2021.
It is with sadness that the family of Leonard Earl Varner announces the death of Leonard E. Varner Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the MidMichigan Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Lawrence Varner, Richard (Dutch) Varner and Leo Varner. Sisters, Marie Jenkins, Gert Tolly, Lorine Albee, and by his son-in-law, Ron Przystas.
Leonard was the third child born to Charles V. and Ilda (Hockemeyer) Varner, born June 5, 1923 in Midland County and has been a lifelong resident of Midland County. After graduating from the eighth grade he went to work at The Dow Chemical Company, where he worked until being drafted by the United States Army. Leonard bravely served in tank division of the US Army in the battle of Okinawa during WWII. He served from 1944 to 1946, and after his honorable discharge, it took him one year to get back to the United States. Leonard had many stories that he shared, often to his grandchildren, regarding his time served. He was on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., and a member of the American Legion, Berryhill Post 165. He had been a Grand Marshal of past Memorial Day parades and was scheduled to be Grand Marshall again, until COVID canceled the event.
Following the war he returned to Midland County where he met Erna while at a bowling event. They were married October 22, 1949 at St. John's Lutheran Church. He built a home on Olson Road, and eventually moved to the North Homer Road homestead, were they raised their family. He was Justice of the Peace, and his children laughing remember the wedding ceremonies he officiated in the living room. He enjoyed salmon fishing with his brother Lester in Ludington.
Leonard took pride in his garden, raspberries, chickens and eggs; he was a maple syrup maker, fisherman, hunter, and bowler, enjoying these activities well into his nineties. He catered hundreds of significant life events in the Midland area with his famous pig roasts where he would spend the day stoking the fire and engaging in conversation with those drawn to the smell of roasting pork. He was a fixture at the Midland County Fair where he had been a board member and volunteer for years. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and a committee member of the ASCS/FSA; founding member of the Dow High School Chain Gang, were he volunteered for over twenty-seven years.
Leonard delighted in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were all frequent visitors to the farm. He is remembered as a kind and thoughtful man who loved spending time with his family.
Rev. Joshua Parsons will officiate with interment in Homer Township Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Midland Area Veterans and the United States Army.
Published by Midland Daily News on Sep. 17, 2021.
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