James H. “Jim” Varel 63 of Bartelso died Wednesday August 25, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese.  

He was born June 24, 1947 in Breese to William and Margaret (Hemker) Varel: they preceded him in death.  

Also preceded in death by a brother Jerome Varel, brothers-in-law Frank Goebel, Bernie Koopmann, Melvin Carver, sister-in-law Bertha Carver.  

He married Elizabeth “Betty” Koopmann April 7, 1970 at St. Cecilia Church in Bartelso and she survives in Bartelso.  

Also surviving are his children Melissa (Brian) Buchheit of O’Fallon, Jason Varel of Bartelso, Eric (Michelle) Varel of Bartelso, Melinda (Pat) McDermott of Chicago, Amy (Aaron) McLean of Fairview Heights, Jesse Varel of Bartelso, Melanie (fiancée Steve Hursey) Varel of Bartelso, Jeremy Varel of Decatur, Alison (friend Adam Fuhler) Varel of Bartelso.  

6 grandchildren Alex, Claire, Owen Buchheit, Ava, Elena, Evan Varel.  

Brothers Pete (Joan) Varel, Bill (Joann) Varel all of Bartelso.  

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

Brothers and sisters-in-law Dolores Varel of Bartelso, Ralph (Bernadine) Koopmann of Damiansville, Leonard (Betty) Koopmann, Mary (Jerry) Grawe, Albert Koopmann, Norbert (Joan) Koopmann all of Bartelso, Rita (Joe) Dieters of Beckemeyer, Phyllis Koopmann of Breese.  

Jim was a dairy farmer and member of St. Cecilia Church in Bartelso.  

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday August 28, 2010 at 10:00 am at St. Cecilia Catholic church in Bartelso with Fr. Henry Fischer officiating. Interment St. Cecilia Cemetery.  

Visitation will be Friday August 27 from 4 to 9 pm and Saturday August 28, from 8 to 9:30 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.  

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