About Us

Adam Henry Pohlman was born and raised in Natoma, Kansas. Henry graduated from Natoma High School and later enlisted in the Navy and fought in the Korean War. After the war, Henry came back to Natoma and worked with his father in Pohlman’s Mortuary and Pohlman’s Furniture Store. During his time in Natoma, Henry was married to Marjorie (Dumler) Pohlman, they had two children, a son Harold and a daughter Barbara. In 1966 Henry moved the family to Russell in order to purchase and run the funeral home that has been known as Pohlman’s Mortuary for almost 40 years. He was a member of the Kansas Funeral Director’s Association, St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, the Isis Shrine, Russell V.F.W. Post #6240, American Legion #99, Russell Rotary, the Russell County Area Community Foundation, as well as the Russell and Natoma Historical Foundations. In 2003 Henry sold the mortuary to Ronn and Ty Heise but continued to stay and work at the mortuary. In 2006 the mortuary was purchased by Don Varner and Darren Peeler. When Don and Darren took over the mortuary, Henry Pohlman was very active and instrumental in helping the boys keep up the high Pohlman standards established in 1898. Henry died on March 05, 2010, leaving behind a successful business, created a business legacy and was loved by his family and friends.

Don L. Varner, Jr was born in El Dorado, Kansas and raised in Towanda, Kansas the son of Don Sr. and Linda (Faulkner) Varner. He graduated from Towanda High School in 1983. Don was offered a baseball scholarship as a pitcher and graduated in 1988 from Butler County Community College in El Dorado. In 1988 Donny graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration/Psychology from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. In 1989 he graduated with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Sciences from Kansas City Community College. Shortly after mortuary school Donny worked for Dunsford’s Mortuary in Augusta, Kansas for several years. In 1993 he went to work for Kirby-Morris Funeral Home in El Dorado. Donny was united in Marriage to Audrey (Cabana) Varner on April 1, 1997. and they were blessed with two children, a daughter Andrea and a son Trey. In 1998 he became manager of the funeral home until 2006 when he and business partner Darren Peeler purchased Pohlman-Heise Mortuary from Ronn and Ty Heise. After purchasing the mortuary they changed the name to the mortuary’s current name of Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary and Monuments.

Darren J. Peeler was born in Wichita, Kansas the son of Joe H. and Margie (Aspy) Peeler. In 1973 his family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma where he graduated from Edmond Memorial High School in 1986. He worked as a manager of a small loan company for several years before going to mortuary school. In 1991 he attended the University of Central Oklahoma and graduated with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science in 1994. Later that year he accepted a position as a licensed funeral director and embalmer with Carlson Funeral Home in El Dorado, Kansas. He was united in marriage to Angela R. (Merritt) Peeler on June 15 1996 and they were blessed with four children, a daughter Kelsey, a son Dylan and daughters Megan and Charlee. In 1999 Darren went back to school and received a Bachelors of Science Degree from Southwestern College. Darren worked with Carlson Funeral Home until April 1, 2006 when he and business partner Don Varner purchased Pohlman-Heise Mortuary from Ronn and Ty Heise. After purchasing the mortuary they changed the name to the mortuary’s current name of Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary and Monuments.

Henry “Hank” Pohlman: Anyone who truly knows Hank already knows what a special and unique man he was and what he has meant to the Russell and Natoma communities. For Don and Darren he has not only been like a grandfather, he has been the truest of friends and the greatest mentor we have ever had the privilege to learn from. Every day he showed us not only how to run an honest and successful business but also taught us both how to be better men. We cannot put into words how much his friendship and leadership have meant to Don and I. Don Varner, Darren Peeler, and Gordon Gorton feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and learn from Hank at the mortuary these last four years. We feel even more fortunate to have called him our dearest friend who we will always remember. Please say a prayer for Hank’s wife and his entire family during this difficult time.

Love,

Don, Darren, Gordon, and Families