Patricia J. Varner, 80, of Murphysboro, went to be with her Lord, at 9:05 p.m. Monday, February 12, 2018, at her residence, surrounded by her family singing "Jesus Loves Me", after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Patricia was born on August 13, 1937, in Murphysboro, Illinois, to Joe Koenig and Martha Lucille (Ellis) Koenig.

She retired from the General Telephone Company after working for thirty six years. She began working as an operator and retired from the business office.

Mrs. Varner was a member of the I.B.E.W. union in West Frankfort, IL.

Pat was an avid camper and she was considered a "great" great grandmother.

She married Kenneth R. Varner on April 5, 1958, in Murphysboro, and he survives.

Other survivors include three children Kevin Varner and Richard "Rick" Varner and his wife Mary Beth Varner, all of Murphysboro, and Marsha McCulloch and her husband Greg McCulloch of Harrisburg;

three grandchildren Bethany Varner and her fiancée John Ryman of Murphysboro, Amber McCulloch and Kristen Lewis and her husband Daniel Lewis, all of Harrisburg;

three great grandchildren Bella Ryman of Murphysboro, Leighton Miller and Hutson Lewis, both of Harrisburg;

one sister Darlene Porter and her husband Mike Porter of Murphysboro;

several nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by one brother and sister in law Gilbert and Sarah Koenig, and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Pettett Funeral Home with Rev. Josemon Hoem and visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.