John "Johnny" Richard Varney

John “Johnny” Richard Varney 48 of Lancaster, Ohio passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. He was born on March 12, 1976 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Richard and Brenda Varney. He was a graduate of Liberty Union High School Class of 1994. He was a starter in high school football, basketball, and baseball. He went on to be named the Central Ohio Home Plate Club Division III High School Player of the Year for 1993-94 and was inducted to the Liberty Union Thurston Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. John was a foreman with the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local Union #189 and worked with them for 23 years.

He was a member of the Local Union but also was an avid sports fan. He loved to watch the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes play. Everything else was sports and the love of his family. John was the best husband and father anyone could ask for. He was attentive and cared for his wife with unwavering strength and made a point to always be there for anything relating to his sons. To say he was a proud husband and father is an understatement. John is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Stacy (Eveland) Varney; sons, Kyle Varney and Kaleb Varney; parents, Brenda and Richard Varney of Lancaster; twin brother, Joseph Varney of Lancaster; sister Karen (D.J.) Loy of Lancaster; one niece and many nephews; mother-in-law Barb Chapman of Bremen; father-in-law Matt (Pam) Eveland of Logan; brother-in-law Brian (Melinda) Eveland of New Lexington; many cousins; aunts; uncles; friends and his canine companion, Sammie.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Jeff Chapman, grandparents, loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Liberty Union High School Gymnasium with Pastor Ron Duty officiating. Burial will follow in Basil Memorial Cemetery, Baltimore Ohio. Family and friends may visit from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Liberty Union High School on Saturday. Arrangements are being handled by the JOHNSON-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, BALTIMORE, OHIO.