Varner Lee Whitis, Franklin
- Age: 90, Passed Away: September 23, 2012
- Jayne Ellen Hood, 51
- Carl Ernest Hood, 56
- Robin T. Garrett, 52
- Joseph E. “Ed” Staab Jr., 79
- Charles Fred Smith, 73
- Jack I. Holmes, 84
- George “Ed” Fowler, 90
- John Phillip Shaughnessy, 64
- James A. Robinson, 63
- Floyd F. Phares, 66
- Ernest H. ‘Ernie’ Loop, 65
- Anthony J. Victor Jr., 62
- Sandra Ann Majors, 50
- William Earl “Billy” Hommel, 77
- Gilbert Gray Gordon, 92
- Willard “Coy” Cox, 64
- Myra E. Wilson, 89
- Josephine Luckett, 90
- Margaret E. Long, 96
- Marian C. Kibbe, 88
- David K. Firth, 81
- Joseph H. Cortese, 77
- Linnie P. Burton, 91
- Donald W. Baker, 64
- Herbert Alfred “Herb” Smith, 87
 Varner Lee Whitis |
Varner Lee Whitis, 90, passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Franklin. He was a resident of Franklin.
He was born July 2, 1922, in Somerset, Ky., the son of James Henry and Elizabeth Rebecca (VanHook) Whitis.
He is survived by three children, Varner “Joe” (Treva) Whitis of Shelby County, Dale Lee (Teresa) Whitis of Flat Rock and Vickie (Scott) Gahimer of Shelbyville; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Mike) DeArmitt, Taba (Cam) Elliott, Jeremy (Meghan) Whitis and Joshua (Gwen) Whitis; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Eula Myers of Weedsport, N.Y.; and longtime companion, Loretta Johnson.
He was preceded in passing by his parents and 12 brothers and sisters.
He attended school in Columbia, Ky.
Varner was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II with “The Fightin’” 44th Infantry. Mr. Whitis received the Bronze Star.
He was employed by Arvin Industries, retiring after more than 30 years.
He truly enjoyed the outdoors, nature, hunting and fishing.
He was an accomplished mandolin player, playing weekly at the Bargersville Senior Center as well as playing in a band. During the war, he played his mandolin on the radio for the troops.
He loved his family and loved people.
A service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton St. (U.S. 31 North) in Franklin. Pastor Brian Scott will officiate with pastor Tom Knight assisting. Friends may call 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Shelby County.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.flinnmaguire.com.
