Kenneth Lynn Varley, Sr.

Kenneth Lynn Varley, Sr., of West Chester, Pennsylvania, passed away on February 18, 2026, at the age of 99.

Born in Warren, Ohio, to Martha Jane and Wilber Lynn Varley, Ken lived a long and purposeful life grounded in service, learning, and his beloved family.

He is survived by his wife Jane of 70 years; his four children, Ann, Kenneth, Susan (late James, Sr.), and Judith (Ronald); his three grandchildren, Kristin, James, Jr., and Nicholas; and his great‑grandchildren, Kali and Kyree.

Ken was an Eagle Scout and remained active in scouting throughout his life, serving as both a troop leader and a council member. After graduating from high school, he served in the United States Army during World War II.

He went on to graduate with honors from Purdue University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Ken began his career at B.F. Goodrich in Akron, Ohio. A few years later, he joined the Callery Chemical Division of the Mine Safety Appliance Company in Evans City, Pennsylvania, where he met his wife, Jane. After their marriage, they moved to Decatur, Illinois, where Ken worked for A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company for 19 years, where they raised their family. He later transferred to the company’s Sales Division in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he continued his career until his retirement.

Ken was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in both Decatur, IL, and West Chester, PA, serving as an Elder in both churches. He and Jane started their mission work as youth group leaders in Decatur and they remained involved in local mission work throughout their life together, including the Civil Rights Movement.

One of Ken’s greatest joys was spending time with his beloved grandchildren; Kristin, Jimmy and Nick and his great-grandchildren; Kali and Kyree.

He was an avid reader, loved nature, hiking, swimming, and traveling. Ken always wanted to share his life with his family, who he so dearly loved. Together they traveled many times to the American and Canadian West, and to most of the United States. Ken and Jane later traveled to Great Britain and Europe.

A memory we all share is summer nights when the sky was clear and the stars were bright. Ken would gather us outside and share the constellations with his beloved wife and family. Thank you dearest Ken.

“So live, that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan, which moves

To that mysterious realm, where each will take

His chamber in the silent halls of death,

Thou go not, like a quarry-slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,

Like one who wraps the drapery of thy couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.”

By William Cullen Bryant

A private service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of West Chester/Mission Program http://www.firstpreswc.com or Safe Harbor of Greater West Chester https://safeharborofcc.org