John J. Varljen

John J. Varljen, 86, of Butler, passed away, Friday May 24, 2019, in the comfort of his home.

Born May 6, 1933 in Winfield, PA, he was a son of the late Louis and Mary Varljen.

He graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and IUP for his Masters Degree. He taught Science and Mathematics at Penn Twp. High School and Knoch High School for 37 years, retiring in 1992. While attending college he had worked at the Butler County Mushroom Farm and the Penn Dixie Cement Plant. He also worked several summers in plant security at Pullman Standard and was a part time agent for Century 21 sales. He was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler, was a life member and past president of the Butler County Amateur Radio Association, Inc. and ARRL, his call letters were K3HJH. He was a life member of the SRU Alumni Association, life member of PASR, the NRA and the SNPJ Lodge. John played baseball for local teams as well as in college, enjoyed photography, hunting and fishing and his camp in Elk County.

He married Shirley M. Beggs in 1955 and had celebrated 63 years of marriage this past year. His pride and joy was his family, as he and his wife had 5 wonderful children.

Surviving is his wife Shirley M. Varljen.

His children, Karen (Daniel) Lewis of Butler; Robert (Min) Varljen of California; Daniel Varljen of East Butler; Charles (Darlene) Varljen of North Carolina.

3 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

2 brothers: Frank (Peggy) Varljen of Georgia and Louis (Pat) Varljen of North Carolina.

2 sisters: Mary Heist and Viola Green.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Terry Varljen; his oldest brother Leo Varljen; 2 sisters, Emma Michalski and Matilda Wolfe; 1 grandson, Michael.

Friends will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham Street, Butler, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 North McKean Street, Butler. Interment will be in Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.

Memorial Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, or to St. Paul's Church, or to the Butler County Amateur Radio Association, Inc.,

St. Pauls Catholic Women and Christian Mothers will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Church to recite the Rosary.

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