Paul Varela, 53, of Sparta, (formerly of Merrillville, Indiana) passed away suddenly, on Oct. 22, 2024, in Sparta.
Paul was born Aug. 12, 1971, in Gary, Indiana, to Jose and Trinity (Camarena) Varela.
He grew up in Merrillville, Indiana, and graduated from Merrillville High School Class of 1991.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother, Trinity Camarena Varela; brother, Richard Varela; maternal grandparents, Manuel and Cirila Camarena Sr.; paternal grandmother, Marie Varela; uncle, Manuel (Ernestina) Camarena Jr.; aunts; Emily (Ralph) Duenas, Helen (Lou) Martinez; special cousin, Jimmy Duenas; grandparents-in-law, Willard and Irene Perry, Harley Sr. and Nora Ragan; uncles-in-law, Harley Jr. (Donna) Ragan, Jerry Wilson; and brother-in-law, John Lanny Nelson II.
He is survived by his loving children, Austin (Anna Torres) Ragan, of Indiana, Alyssa (Dakotah Dalton) Varela, of Kentucky, Aaron Varela, of Tennessee; precious grandchildren, Connor Carlson. Emilia Ragan; father, Jose Varela; brothers, Michael J Varela, Louis (Francesca) Varela; sister, Elizabeth Varela; niece, Nicole (Jacob) Varela Zatorski; great- nephew, Gabriel Varela Zatorski; great-niece, Xochi Varela Zatorski; sister-in-law, Joy Varela; godparents, Bob and Yolanda Santo; and best buddy that was like a brother, Jon Escue.
Also surviving are mothers and father-in-law, Mary Ragan, Aaron and Shirley Ragan; brothers-in-law, James (Michelle) Ragan; daughter Kira Ragan, Jacob (Lindsey Matt) Nelson and boys; Gabriel, Luke and Waylon; nephew, John Lanny Nelson III; former wife, Erica Ragan; aunts and uncles-in-law, Darold (Helen) Perry, Alene and John McGarrity, Bill and Darice Ragan, Phillip and Linda Ragan, Melva and Bob Hayes, Sylvia Wilson, Bobbie and Jeff Talley, and Jannie and Bill Friedericks; and numerous cousins, friends and co-workers.
Funeral service was 2 p.m., Oct. 25, 2024, at Thurman Funeral Home, with burial in Old Zion Cemetery. Michael Weedman, his cousin, officiated.
Pallbearers were Austin Ragan, Dakotah Dalton, Aaron Ragan, Michael Varela, Louis Varela, Jon Escue, and Jake Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers were Aaron Varela and Connor Carlson.
Thurman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
