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Kenneth D. Varner Jr.

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Kenneth D. Varner, Jr.
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Kenneth D. Varner, Jr.
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Kenneth D. Varner, Jr.

Kenneth D. “Kenn” Varner Jr., 74, of Washington, died on Saturday, June 10, 2023, in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

He was born on December 2, 1948, in Fairmont, W.Va., a son of the late Kenneth D. Varner, Sr. and Laura Ellen Adams Varner.

Kenn was a 1966 graduate of Trinity High School.

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Mr. Varner served during the Vietnam War from April 4, 1968, until his Honorable Discharge, with the rank of Sergeant E-4, on April 3, 1972. His last major duty assignment was with the 20th Surveillance Squadron Air Defense Command. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

He retired from Beth Energy Mines in Marianna, where he had worked as a coal miner.

Mr. Varner loved anything outdoors, especially gardening, hunting for delicious Morel mushrooms with his wife, and canoeing. Anything that raised his adrenaline levels was a draw for him. Amazingly, he completed one thousand skydiving jumps between the ages of 16 and 24. Kenn also enjoyed taking all his nieces and nephews to Kennywood Park and Sunset Beach. Spending time with his family gave him great joy.

On February 28, 1976, he married the love of his life, Cecilia Koletsky, who survives.

Also surviving are two children, Christina (J.J.) O’Patchen and Kenneth D. Varner III; two brothers, Bruce (Sherry) Varner and David (Denise) Varner; two sisters, Diane Bova and Laura Ellen (the late Raymond) Wallace; two grandchildren, Trevor O’Patchen and Taylor O’Patchen; many nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Terry Varner and Lucy (Eric) Briggs.

Deceased is a brother, Tom Varner.

Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

All who are planning to attend the service are asked to please meet at William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, to join a procession to the cemetery, leaving the funeral home promptly at 2 p.m.

An online guest book is available at NealFuneralHome.com.

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