He was born May 23, 1935 in Bartelso to William Sr. and Margaret (Hemker) Varel: they preceded him in death

Also preceded in death by a son Carl Varel, a daughter Shirley Varel father and mother –in-law Clem and Sarah Santel, brother-in-law Frank Goebel

He married Dolores "Toots" Santel June 21, 1960 at St. Damian Church in Damiansville, she survives in Bartelso

Also surviving are sons Mike "Rex" Varel, Ben (Carla) Varel, Steve (Jill) Varel, Jeff "Lefty" Varel, Scott (Kathy) Varel all of Bartelso, Charlie Varel of Centralia

Daughters Sharon (Leo) Schulte and Shelly (Todd Winkeler) Varel all of Bartelso

8 grandchildren; Crystal, Kyle, Casey and Kolby Schulte, Stacy, Julie, Candice and Paige Varel

Brothers Pete (Joan) Varel, William (Joann) Varel Jr. and Jim (Betty) Varel all of Bartelso

Sisters Sally (Bernie) Gerdes, Margie (Jim) Wilken, Bernadette (Gerhard) Kluemke, Flossie (Frank) Schlautmann all of Bartelso, Blanche Goebel of New Baden

Jerome was the Pioneer Seed Warehouse Rep. Manager and retired farmer, retired Santa Fe Twp. Road Commissioner for 22 years. And an Army Veteran

Member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso, Knights of Columbus Council #4745 Bartelso, Treasurer of ORBC, Post Oak Club, 960 Club and Catholic War Veterans Bartelso

Funeral Mass Monday May 12, 2003 at 2:00 PM at St. Cecilia catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. Henry Fischer officiating. Interment St. Cecilia Cemetery

Visitation wil be held on Sunday May 11 from 4 to 9 PM and on Monday May 12 from 11 am to 1: 30 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown

Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home