John "Johnny" Richard Varney, a 48-year-old Caucasian male from Lancaster, Ohio, tragically lost his life on February 25, 2025. Born on March 12, 1976, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, John was a beloved husband, father, and respected member of his community. He was a graduate of Liberty Union High School, where he excelled in multiple sports and was later inducted into the Liberty Union Thurston Athletic Hall of Fame.
His professional career spanned over two decades as a foreman with the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local Union #189. John was deeply devoted to his family, his wife Stacy, and their two sons, Kyle and Kaleb.
On the evening of February 25, 2025, Lancaster police responded to a distress call at a residence on North Broad Street. Upon arrival, officers encountered 26-year-old Kyle Varney, John’s son, standing in the front yard armed with a shotgun. The situation escalated when Kyle fired at a woman attempting to leave the home, prompting police to respond with deadly force. The woman survived her injuries, but inside the house, authorities discovered the bodies of two men, one of whom was John Varney.
Following an extensive investigation, a Fairfield County grand jury indicted Kyle Varney on 18 felony charges, including two counts of aggravated murder, four counts of murder, and multiple counts of attempted murder and felonious assault. The charges carry firearm specifications, indicating the use of a weapon in the crimes. The Lancaster Police Department sought assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to examine the circumstances leading up to the officer-involved shooting. A separate investigation into the police response remains ongoing.
John Varney’s death has left a profound impact on his family and community. His funeral service was held at Liberty Union High School Gymnasium, where friends and loved ones gathered to honor his memory. He was laid to rest at Basil Memorial Cemetery in Baltimore, Ohio. His passing marks a tragic chapter for those who knew him, as they remember him not only for his professional achievements but for his unwavering dedication to his family and his love for sports.
