John H. Varel, 78, of St. Rose, IL, born July 29, 1928, in Bartelso, IL, died Monday, February 5, 2007 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL. 

He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and Men’s Sodality, Catholic Fraternal Life, Clinton County Farm Bureau, and was a past member of Mid-America Dairy Association. As a young man, Mr. Varel enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany to support the Korean War.  He also worked as a Carpenter at Midwest Farm Structures and was a dairy farmer until the dairy buyout in the 1980’s.  He then devoted his time to planting and harvesting corn, wheat and beans.  He loved living and working on the farm and he was a very talented mechanic.  He also enjoyed spending time with his family, watching his grandchildren’s events, and visiting with several dear friends in the area. 

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Leora (nee Schrage) Varel, whom he married on June 20, 1953 and died on October 30, 2003,  his parents, Herman and Wilhelmina (Rohr) Varel, a brother, Walter Varel, a sister, Lydia Varel, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Theodore and Gertrude (Kampwerth) Schrage, a brother-in-law, Pete Wellinghoff, and a nephew, Irvin Sparlin. 

Surviving is his children, John (Angie) Varel of Wailuku, Hawaii, Trudy (Joe) Strieker of Collinsville, Allan (Geri) Varel of Damiansville, Joe (Sharon) Varel of Troy, Ken (Inger) Varel of Columbia, and Dianne (Mark) Voss of Highland. 

His pride and joy were his 11 grandchildren, Jesse (Megan) Van Coutren of Oakdale, CA, Kyle Varel (special friend Mandi Seibert) of Gilbertsville, KY, Keith Varel (special friend Kristen Detmer) of Damiansville, Michael and Brandon Varel of Troy, Nathanial, Lauren, Hannah, and Erika Varel of Columbia, and Nicole and Matthew Voss of Highland. 

A brother, Clarence Varel of Bartelso and sisters, Alvina (Carl) Sparlin of Greenville and Dottie Wellinghoff of Breese. 

Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Leander (Delores) Schrage of Breese, Alex (Judy) Schrage of St. Rose, Ted (Marie) Schrage of Pocahontas, and Bernice (George) Wellen of Highland. Numerous Nieces and Nephews and his cat, Midnight. 

In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Clinton County Relay for Life-American Cancer Society or St. Rose Catholic Church and will be received at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to www.mossfuneralhome.com. 

Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2007 and again from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2007 at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese. 

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church with Fr. Henry Fischer and Msgr. Donald Eichenseer officiating.  Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery.