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Herschell Donald "Pat" Varner, 92, a resident of Maple Heights Health & Rehab Center, Ebensburg, and formerly of Roaring Spring, passed peacefully through the gates of Heaven on Tuesday after an extended illness. He was a son of the late Ralph and Myrtle (Corre) Varner of Bellwood.
Pat has finally been reunited with the love of his life, Nancy Ann (Casaday), who preceded him in death in 2021 after sharing 68 years of marriage.
He is survived by his brother, Ralph "Barney" Varner; his four children: Herschell "Donnie" Varner of Roaring Spring, Dwayne (Jean) Varner of Johnstown, Cindy (Mark Randy) Speck of Litchfield Park, Ariz., and Vicki (Kirk) Roudabush of Claysburg; as well as 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Pat was a 1950 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School and received a degree in pharmacy from Ohio Northern University in 1954.
He was a staff pharmacist at Altoona Hospital and James Drug Store in Cresson before opening Varner's Pharmacy in Roaring Spring in January of 1961. Pat served as owner and pharmacist for over 24 years until its closing in 1985. He subsequently worked at Nason Hospital Pharmacy and Thrift Drug Store Chain before retiring and doing relief work for Saxton Station Pharmacy and McCahan's Pharmacy in Saxton until his illness in 2020.
Pat was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Roaring Spring, where he served as a lector, a member of church council and was a former treasurer.
He served in the Roaring Spring Borough Council and was president for several years. He was also a member and past Grand Master of the Woodbury Lodge F & AM as well as a Shriner.
Pat enjoyed his family and was a devoted caretaker of his wife, Nancy, for many years. He loved telling jokes and getting hugs from his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling to Arizona to visit with his family. Pat was an avid Penn State Football fan and loved caring for his backyard swimming pool, which was the center of many gatherings of family and friends.
His life was long and filled with love; he will be greatly missed.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Roaring Spring, with the Rev. Amanda McCaffrey officiating.
Arrangements are by Todd T. Thompson Funeral Home Inc., Roaring Spring.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pat's memory may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 401 E. Main St., Roaring Spring, PA 16672.
www.thompsonfh.com