Vernon Varnum

VERNON N. VARNUM

VERNON N. VARNUM, 88, of Bedford, Virginia, died Saturday, March 31, 2007, at his residence. He was born February 12, 1919, in Miller, Ohio a son of the late George G. Varnum Sr. and Genoma Burcham Varnum. He was a member of Highlawn Methodist Church, Huntington, West Virginia, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk in Huntington, West Virginia. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Withers Varnum; four sisters, Inez Henson of Hamlin, West Virginia, Virginia A. Varnum of Charleston, West Virginia, Geneva Rice of Laneville, Texas, and Hazel Farris of Huntington, West Virginia: two brothers, Girard C. Varnum of Huntington, West Virginia, and George G. Varnum Jr. of Cary, North Carolina. Survivors include a daughter, Rosemary Varnum Sumner, her husband, Jeffrey W. and granddaughter Heather Kaitlin Sumner, all of Bedford, Virginia. A son, Vernon M. Varnum, his wife, Diane Ward Varnum and a granddaughter Laura Varnum, all of Huntington, West Virginia. He was a retired employee of the Huntington District Corps of Engineers. He served with the 373rd Engineer Regiment during the Second World War and received campaign battle stars for Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He also received a Meritorious Service Unit Insignia and the European African Middle Service Medal. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. April 3, 2007, at Beale Chapel United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2007, at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford, and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Beale Chapel Cemetery at Apple Grove, West Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gentle Shepherd Hospice Charities of Roanoke, 6045 Peter's Creek Road, Roanoke, VA 24019. To send condolences please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Bedford, Virginia. (540) 586-3443.