Lolita M. Varner, 101

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Lolita M. Varner, 101, of Carlinville, formerly of Sorento, died at 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Carlinville Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

The family will receive guests from 10 a.m. until the time of service, at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, March 16, at the Assembly of God in Sorento, with Pastor Steve Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento. Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mrs. Varner was born on July 28, 1918, in Vinita, OK, to James M. and Annie M. (Williams) Thompson. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the Central Bible Institute in Springfield, MO, and was then ordained as a minister in the Assembly of God church.

Mrs. Varner traveled the entire United States and Canada as an evangelist, and it was at a revival in Sorento where she met her future husband, Ernest C. Varner.  They were wed May 23, 1963, in Springfield, MO.  Their travels together led them to Salem, OR, where they retired. He preceded her in death on May 23, 1963.

Mrs. Varner was a long-time and devout member of the Assembly of God in Sorento.  She was a talented musician, who played the accordian, piano, organ, cordovox and ukulele.

Mrs. Varner is survived by her son-in-law, Ralph Scheldt of Carlinville; granddaughter, Elizabeth (Luke) Wright of Bella Vista, AR; great granddaughters, Caroline and Katie Jo Wright; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; step-daughter, Carol Elaine (Varner) Scheldt; brother, Alan Thompson; sisters, Marie Young and Christine Foster; and in-laws, Andrew Varner, Ruth Whiteside, Edward Varner and Marjorie Bryant.

Memorial contributions may be made to Assembly of God, at 303 S. Hill Street, Sorento, IL 62086. Condolences may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.