Varian Bauman

Varian R. Bauman, age 92, of Greenville, passed away Friday evening, June 7, 2013 at Twin Oaks-Gowen with his family at his side. The son of William & Maude Ellen (Searles) Bauman, he was born on April 14, 1921 in Greenville. After graduating from Greenville High School in 1939, Varian began working at the former Gibson Refrigerator Company until be was called up to serve in the U.S. Army. A decorated veteran of World War II, Staff Sgt. Bauman fought at the battles of Normandy (D-Day), Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), and Central Europe and earned a silver battle star. Following the war, Varian returned home and on Sept. 11, 1949 he married Arlene Sharlow and together they had two children and enjoyed almost twenty years of marriage until Arlene passed away on August 11, 1969. A life long member of the Community of Christ Church (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), Varian was a member of the priesthood and served his faith community as a pastor and elder. He was always willing to serve his church family -- and even those without a home church -- in his years of ministry and officiated at countless weddings and funerals. In addition, Varian served for over a decade on the Montcalm County Mental Health Board, including terms as committee chairperson. He retired from Gibsons after 44 years of service and had been a member of UAW Local 137. On September 11, 1970, in Greenville, he married the former Sarah Elizabeth Liz Sharlow and together they enjoyed 42 years of marriage. Surviving are his wife, Liz Bauman of Greenville; his children, William Bill Bauman of Kirtland, Ohio and Nancy Jean & Ron Frye of Marcellus; two grandsons, Keven & Barbara Knipp and Steven Knipp; three great grandchildren, Christopher, Angel, and Dawson Knipp, all of Marcellus; two brothers-in-law, James Sharlow and Gordon Sharlow, both of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Christopher Knipp; a sister, Lois Hargrove; and three brothers, Theodore, Harold, and Lyle Bauman. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 13, 2013 at the Community of Christ Church, 814 E. Coffren Avenue, Greenville, with a time of food and fellowship following the service. Military honors, rendered by the U.S. Army, will conclude the ceremonies and burial at Forest Home Cemetery will take place privately. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Varian Bauman, please visit our flower store.