Eliana Nichole Varela's Obituary
Barnhart, MO- Eliana Nichole Varela, 15, of Barnhart, died at 2:20 AM, Sunday, January 17, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.
Eliana was born on February 19, 2005 in St. Louis, MO to Angel Antonio Varela and Crystal Nichole Papayik.
Eliana was the most loving, caring, kindhearted and happiest girl. She was an incredibly talented and accomplished young lady who loved to sing, dance and draw. She had a passion for all animals, especially horses and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She was a self taught barrel racer and had the voice of an angel. She often sang with her father and brother. She was a sophomore at Seckman High School and was looking forward to running track and patiently awaiting the day she could take her drivers license test.
Eliana was loved by so many and the family is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support they have been receiving and would like to extend a special "Thank you!" to Adelyn Armstrong for organizing their GoFundMe page.. Eliana was always up for an adventure and she loved to travel. She put her heart into all she did and was very proud of her Spanish heritage. She spoke Spanish and has many family members from the peninsula of the Yucatan and Mexico City. She loved them dearly and traveled there often. Eliana will be forever missed and in our hearts and minds.
Survivors include her mother; Crystal Papayik and Ismael Ruiz of Barnhart, father; Angel Varela of St. Louis, brothers; Carter P. Ruiz of Columbia, MO, Angel Varela of Barnhart and Javier Ruiz of Barnhart, maternal grandparents; Pam Papayik of Arnold and Tony Papayik of High Ridge, MO, paternal grandparent; Edna Janet Sanguino Uribe of Yucatan, Mexico, great grandmother; Fern Papayik of High Ridge and Faye Lendeman of O’Fallon, MO, aunts; Julie “Juju” Papayik of Arnold, Janet Sanguino of Yucatan, Mexico, uncle; Carlos Gongora-Sanguino of Yucatan, Mexico as well as several cousins and many close friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandfathers; Frank Papayik and Norman Lenderman.
A funeral service will be held at 6:00 PM, Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Rocking J. Ranch /6722 Bridle Lane/ High Ridge, MO. Pastor Keith Parris will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Rocking J Ranch in High Ridge. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo.
Memorial donations are suggested to the family and will be accepted at Leesman Funeral Home or the Rocking J Ranch. For more information please visit www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
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