John Stephen 'Jack' Vareha, 69

LEWES - John Stephen "Jack" Vareha, of Lewes, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2008, inBeebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 69.

He was born Jan. 18, 1939, in Mt. Holly, N.J., son of the late Joseph and Rose (Horvath) Vareha.

Jack grew up in the Trenton area with his siblings Elizabeth and Joseph.

He met his wife Jean while working in New York and was married on Nov. 18, 1967.

Jack spent most of his life in Oak Ridge, N.J., where he lived for 28 years and raised his family.

He retired from La Roche Industries, based in Atlanta.

He relocated to Lewes in 1998 with his wife and his daughters soon followed in order to be near him.

Jack went on to various "retired" careers, most recently he served as a Pot-Nets security guard.

He will be remembered by all who loved him for his dry sense of humor, compassion for animals and for the love of his family, especially his three grandchildren.

Jack is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jean Vareha; two daughters, Laura Schneider and her husband Jacob of Lewes, and Penny Gross and her husband Joshua of Long Neck; three beloved grandchildren, Madeline Rose, Sydney Jay and Spencer John; his sister, Elizabeth Michalchuck; and his brother, Joseph Vareha, both of Trenton, N.J.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday in the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 7 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, with Pastor Donald C. Schaefer officiating.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Bassett Hound Rescue (BROOD), c/o John Warner, 15213 Clear Spring Road, Williamsport, MD 21795; or to the American Diabetes Foundation, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 1002, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.