Donald J. Varner

Canfield - Donald Joe Varner, 87, of Canfield, died Thursday evening, January 3, 2019.

Mr. Varner was born August 28, 1931 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the son of Royal and Faye Varner. He was raised in West Virginia and resided in Boardman and Canfield.

A graduate of Salem High School, Salem, West Virginia, Donald attended Salem College, then Ohio Northern University until he was drafted into the United States Army. He served two years during the Korean Conflict, then returned to Ohio Northern University to earn his Juris Doctorate Degree.

In 1957, Donald was employed by The Home Savings and Loan Company where he served for 47 years. Donald was a Senior Vice President and served on the Board of Directors, as well as serving as Secretary and Director of the United Community Financial Corporation. He was a member of the Mahoning Valley Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association.

An active community leader, Donald served as a director for the Hearn Paper Company, was a member of the Crime Clinic of Youngstown, the Youngstown/Warren Area Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tippecanoe Country Club, and the former Youngstown Club. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and a 32nd Degree Mason of the Youngstown Scottish Rite. He also served on the Board of Governors of the Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc.

Donald was a member of the Boardman United Methodist Church where he served as treasurer and a member of the Administration Board.

Donald leaves his wife, the former Jean Marvel whom he married August 29, 1954; three sons, James (Marilyn) Varner of Raleigh, NC, William (Carmel) Varner of Marietta, GA, and Jon (Katherine) Varner of Doylestown, PA; one daughter, Lynda (Scott) Beichner of Boardman; eleven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Varner; and his sister, Mary Davis.

Donald was a true gentleman - a kind, generous and loving son, husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. He will be deeply missed by those whose lives he touched.

A funeral service will be held Monday, January 7, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Boardman United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Boardman, Ohio.

Friends will be received Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church.

Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Boardman United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.