Paul E. Varner, 96, of Moline, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Heartland Health Care Center in Moline.

Funeral services will be 1pm, Thursday, July 10, 2014 at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111-1st St A, Moline with visitation noon to service time. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 246, Moline. Memorials can be made to American Legion Post 246, Moline.

Paul was born May 5, 1918 in Keokuk, IA, the son of Elmer and Ethel (Long) Varner. Paul met Alice C. Muller in California, while he was stationed in San Francisco with the Army in 1941. They were married on July 18, 1945 in Rock Island. Alice preceded him in death on November 20, 1999.

Paul was a WWII Veteran, having served in Europe for 3 years as a member of the 494th AAB. He spent the last 6 months of the war protecting the port city of Antwerp from attacks by German V-1 rockets.

Mr. Varner was employed at the former Farmall Tractor Works in Rock Island for 45 years, retiring in 1980 from Powerhouse.

Paul was a baseball coach for many years. He was an avid gardener and he especially loved conservation and nature.

Survivors include his sons, Paul (Helen) Varner, Dubuque, IA and John (Elaine) Varner, Moline; granddaughters, Lisa Varner, Flint, MI and Alyssa Varner, Brooklyn, NY, step grandchildren, Christopher (Sheri) Mohrman, Plainfield, IL and Anthony (Betsy) Mohrman, LeClaire, IA; great grandchildren, Jesse and Garret, Flint, MI and sisters, Eunice (Lyle) Acker and Lois (Harold) Wilson. He was preceded in death by his six brothers, Albert, Clarence, Emanuel, David, John and Marcus and sister, Mildred.

Thank you to his special nephew, Steve Varner for his visits over the past years.

A special thanks to Tim Masterson, Angelica Reyes, Diane Herkert and those at the Village Inn for all the years of kindness and friendship.