WALLINGFORD, Conn. – Merlin Francis Varney, 87, beloved husband of 65 years to Phyllis Cooley Varney, died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011, at Masonicare Health Center. He was born May 5, 1924, in Lambert Lake, a son of the late David J. and Amelia Trask Varney.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He been employed as a pipefitter by Cytec and was a member of United Chemical Workers Union. Mr. Varney had been a member of First Baptist Church, Wallingford, Conn., and Masonic Compass Lodge No. 9. He served as past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Stanley Budleski Post No. 9965 from 1969 to 1973, and was a member of AMVETS and Disabled American Veterans.
In addition to his wife, Phyllis, he is survived by his two daughters, Gloria J. Smith and her husband, Jeffrey, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Vicky-Lea Barnes and her husband, Walter, of Wallingford, Conn.; his daughter-in-law, Diane Varney of Wallingford, Conn.; his seven grandchildren, Donald Anklam, Darren Anklam, David Varney, Christine Whitney, Jayne Sause, William Barnes and Ryan Barnes; several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Ronald J. Varney; his sister, Vivian Grindell Nadeau; and his brothers, William, Vance and Coleman Varney. His family extends their gratitude to the staff of Ramage 4 for the excellent care that they provided.
His family will receive relatives and friends 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St. Extension, Wallingford, Conn., where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday. Interment with military honors will be at In Memoriam Cemetery, Wallingford, Conn. Gifts in his memory may be sent to American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
www.wallingfordfh.com