Helen Marjorie Meredith

RICHMOND, Ind. – Helen Marjorie Varnell Meredith, age 98, formerly of Richmond, passed away peacefully at home in New Berlin, Wisconsin, on Thursday, August 30, 2012. Known to friends and family as Marjorie, she was born October 14, 1913, in Columbus, Ohio, to Rev. Oscar T. F. Tressel and Amalia W. Stellhorn Tressel. She lived most of her life in Richmond, graduating from Morton High School in 1930 and Earlham College in 1934. She was a teacher until her marriage to Elmer G. Varnell. She had a life-long passion for music, and leaves a legacy of hundreds of young musicians who learned to play the piano by her side. She was a member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church, member and former President of A.A.U.W., member of Tourist and Aftermath, and served on the Richmond Community School Board from 1956 to 1963. She rarely missed a Richmond Symphony Orchestra concert or Richmond High School concert or marching band performance, especially when her son, Stephen, was conducting. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Elmer G. Varnell; second husband, Dr. Elwood J. Meredith; and two sons, Stephen C. Varnell in 2007 and Donald E. Meredith in 2001. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Carol Varnell (Greg) Gegner of New Berlin, Wisconsin, and Elinor Meredith Schall of Palmyra, Pennsylvania; two sons, Col. Allan K. (Janet) Varnell of Mountain View, California, and Richard C. (Dortha) Meredith of Richmond; and daughter-in-law, Toni Meredith Reinke of Richmond. In addition, she leaves several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Visitation for Helen Marjorie Varnell Meredith will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Rev. John E. Sowers officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Stellhorn Foundation, c/o Becky Wernsing, 1127 Betty Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238; the Stephen C. Varnell Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the Wayne County Foundation, 33 South 7th Street, Richmond, IN 47374; or the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 982, Richmond, IN 47375. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Helen Marjorie Meredith

October 14, 1913 - August 30, 2012