Raymond Robert Varner, Sr., age 93 of Rhinelander, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital.  He was born March 10, 1927, in Bessemer, Mich. to Julius and Elsie Varner. As a young man, Ray enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Massachusettes as a gunner mate during WWII.

Ray is survived by his daughter, Diana Wolfson (Robert) of Naperville, Ill.; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren; brother, James M. Varner (Merle) of Brooksville, Fla.; longtime companion and caregiver, Joan Schlieve of Rhinelander; two nieces; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Winona Henig (AJ) and Dorothy E. Hershman (Ramon); his brother Willard D. Varner (Janet); his first wife, Ruth Webb Becker (Gale) and his son, Raymond Robert Varner, Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps – Vietnam).

Visitation will take place 3-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 at Carlson Funeral Home. There will be a private family service led by Pastor Mike Adams of Lakeland Living Water Church. Ray will be laid to rest at the Rock Island National Cemetery where his son, Raymond Varner, Jr., is buried. (Carlson Funeral Home)