Dana Andrew Varga

Dana Andrew Varga, age 71, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on Sunday evening, March 8, 2020 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia on July 13, 1948, and was the loving son of Frank A. Varga and Betty J. (Rife) Strong.

Dana was a badass. He spent his younger days riding his Harley Davidson and painting the town red. When he wasn't busy running the pool table, he was playing cards and taking names. Dana was a pool shark and champion poker player. Outside of competing, Dana also loved the simpler things. He enjoyed his TV time - watching Sons of Anarchy, Storage Wars, and any show on Animal Planet, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel. His favorite fashion staples were skull emblazoned shirts, leather jackets, baseball caps, and cross-shaped jewelry. Dana also loved fishing and spending time with friends, family, and the ladies.

Dana is survived by his mother, Betty Strong of Frankfort, Illinois; his father, Frank of Battle Creek; his son, Thad Fleming of Grand Junction, Arizona; his grandchildren, Tyler Varga and Areell Varga both of Battle Creek, Sabrina Wick and great-grandson Ramon Lopez of Tucson, Arizona. His sisters, Beth (Sam) Enskat of Frankfort, Illinois and Connie Strong of Battle Creek; his nieces, Kelly and Sarah Enskat of Frankfort, Illinois; special friend, Debbie Love and many friends and extended family. He was sadly preceded in death by his son, Daniel "Danny" Varga on July 13, 2019 and his step-father, Ridgeway Strong.

The family will receive friends 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where a celebration of Dana's life will begin at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be held privately at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Dana may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.