9/23/2003
Graveside committal services for Jack Lee Varner, 83, of Knoxville, who died Tuesday,
Sept. 23, 2003 at the West Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, were held Friday,
Sept. 26, at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Military funeral honors were provided
by the United States Army, V.F.W. John Myers Post No. 3519, and the American Legion
Baty-Tucker No. 168.
Casketbearers were Charley Fisher, Mike Varner, Eli Yutzy, Mike Yutzy, Luke Yutzy,
and Ben Yutzy. Honorary bearers were Josh Yutzy, James Yutzy, Caleb Yutzy, and Jonathan
Yutzy.
Jack was born on Dec. 30, 1919 in Minneapolis, Minn., the son of Chauncy Lee and
Minnie Mae (Bloom) Varner. He was raised in Iowa and following high school graduation
he moved to California.
He married Gloria Sockriter in 1940 at Gardena, Calif. To this union seven children
were born. On Oct. 5, 1944, Jack was inducted into the United States Army. He was
honorably discharged in 1946, and he and Gloria returned to Knoxville.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Gloria.
He is survived by three sons and their wives, Mike and Pam Varner of Lawrenceville,
Ill., Joe and Diane Varner, and Greg and Julie Varner all of Knoxville; four daughters
and their husbands, Donna and John Hinrich of Long Beach, Calif., Mary and Eli Yutzy
of Leon, Julie and Charley Fisher, and Ann and Norm Havener all of Knoxville; 23
grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Central Iowa or West Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation
Center.
Arrangements were made by Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.