Stephen Varnell

RICHMOND, Ind. - Stephen C. Varnell, age 62, of Richmond, went to the great Band Camp in the Sky on Thursday, July 5, 2007, at Reid Hospital. He died peacefully with his mother by his side and family nearby. He was born August 14, 1944, in Richmond to Elmer G. and Marjorie Tressel Varnell and was a lifelong resident of this community. Stephen was a 1962 graduate of Richmond High School, 1967 graduate of Butler University and earned his master's degree from Ball State University in 1978. He began his career at Randolph Southern High School in 1967. He was a longtime employee of Richmond Community Schools, where he started as assistant band director under John Parshall in 1969. In 1977 he became RHS Director of Bands. It was then Tim Love became Assistant Director and Steve's closest friend in and out of the band room. 'Mr. Varnell Sir' was known for his high expectations, encouragement of self-discipline and true caring and concern for each individual student. He instilled in his students a sense of pride in themselves, their talent, their high school and their community. It was the entire band uniform or none at all! He became known to the children of many co-workers and friends as 'Uncle Steve'. During his tenure, the RHS Band traveled to the Macy's Day Parade twice, the Pasadena Rose Parade, the Indianapolis 500 Parade, the Thomasville, Georgia Rose Parade in addition to other local and regional parades. He prepared the band yearly for concert and marching competitions, in which his students consistently rated in the top 10, with first place finishes at the Indiana State Fair in 1973 and 1988. He organized the RCS elementary schools band program, the Alumni Band program and a team of volunteers for the yearly band camp. In addition to his band duties, he was Teacher and Mentor Department Chair for RHS and served for many years on the Rose Festival Board. He is known for his organizing skills, his broad expertise and most of all, his dry sense of humor. He was a member of the Phi-Beta-Mu Gamma Chapter, serving as Treasurer for many years; Phi Mu Alpha Sinphonia Honorary Musical Fraternity and many other organizations and committees. He retired in 2003. He will be fondly remembered and missed by the many friends he gained over the years. Survivors include his daughters, Julia Converse Sober of Seattle, Wash., and Jennifer Schroeder and husband Bob of Richmond; son, Jason Mills and wife LaVon of London, Ohio; grandchildren, Emily and Philip Schroeder and Alexia and Zavier Mills; his mother, Marjorie Meredith; sister, Carol Gegner and husband Greg of New Berlin, Wisc.; brothers, Allan K. Varnell and wife Janet of Mountain View, Calif., and Richard Meredith; sister, Eleanor Schall; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; stepfather, Dr. Elwood J. Meredith; and brother, Don Meredith. Funeral service for Stephen C. Varnell will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2007, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road W., Richmond, with Pastor John Hollis, Rev. Theodore Stellhorn and Pastor Stephen Abernathy officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, July 8, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephen C. Varnell Scholarship for Outstanding Band Students, c/o Richmond High School Alumni Association, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

Stephen Varnell

August 14, 1944 - July 5, 2007