TURNER – Andrew J. Varney, 54, of Knight Farm Road in Turner Center, died early Christmas Sunday, Dec. 23, after a 10-year battle with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Sitting in his favorite recliner, he left his home in Turner Center with his wife and sons at his side for his home in Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior.

He was born in Lewiston Oct. 3, 1953, a son of George and Dorothy (Jordan) Varney. He graduated from Leavitt Area High School in 1971, and remained a lifelong resident of Turner Center.

On Oct. 14, 1978, he married the former Pauline Clark of Houlton, and they settled in Turner Center to raise their two sons.

As a young adult, he first worked for his father on the family dairy farm until the age of 33 and later spent several years employed at the Lewiston Sun Journal. After that, he spent some time as a driver for Selmore Fixtures in Lewiston, and most recently, operated a rock crusher for K & K Excavation.

He was a longtime member of East Auburn Baptist Church, where he was very involved with and participated in the major Christmas and Easter productions each year for several years. In fact, Saturday afternoon, the day before he passed away, he played a part in the manger scene of this year’s Christmas event at the church.

He was a people person who loved socializing and who greatly enjoyed involvement with friends and his fellow church members. He was a member of a cancer support group at Central Maine Medical Center, and he was a member/leader of the Missing Peace support group at East Auburn Baptist Church for almost 10 years.

Andy was an avid collector of anything that was John Deere. He collected many different items over the years and always owned and operated nothing but John Deere farm equipment. He has restored a few tractors over the years, including one that was owned by his grandfather, he left one antique tractor for each of his sons.

He was able to realize a lifelong dream in June 2007, when the Make-A-Dream Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Merv Hilpipre sponsored him and his wife on a trip to the worldwide John Deere 2 Cylinder Expo in Iowa. He stated, after taking the trip, “I wasn’t disappointed about anything, I loved every minute of it!”

He was also extremely talented as a welder and fabricator who could make just about anything at all and did in fact, make and create several things he needed over the years. Throughout his illness, his outlook on life was always inspiring as he lived everyday to the fullest of his ability and did the most he could right up until he went to be with the Lord.

He leaves his wife of 29 years, Pauline Varney of Turner; two sons, Jacob Varney and wife, Jillian, of Lynchburg, Va., and Matthew Varney and fiancé, Kimbre Chase, of Turner; his parents, George and Dorothy Varney of Turner; a sister, Lindy Varney Wood and husband, John C., of Turner; a brother, Alvin Varney and wife, Kathi, of Turner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Edwin and Dorothy Jordan; his paternal grandparents, George and Etta Varney; a cousin, Roy Varney; his in-laws, Albert and Rena Clark; and several aunts and uncles.

He will be sadly missed by his family, his many friends and church community. The family would also like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Miller and Dr. Nicolette Erickson and their nurses and staff members. They would also like to thank the entire M-1 Oncology Department at CMMC for their excellent care over these 10 years. Special thanks also to all family and East Auburn Baptist Church family for all your help, prayers and support in so many ways over the years.