Rodell Jarden, 76

Rodell L. “Van” Jarden, 76, of Marine died on Friday, March 25, 2016 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Marine. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Marine, with the Rev. Maurice Alms, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.

He was born on June 22, 1939 in Staunton to Udell and Irma (Poore) Jarden. On Aug. 15, 1961, he married Violet Dunlop in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. She survives in Marine.

Mr. Jarden was raised in Staunton. After serving with the National Guard for two years, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a machinist’s mate on destroyer escort USS Dealey during “Operation Blue Bat” in the Lebanon Cold War Crisis.

After his service, he returned to Staunton and began working with his father as a painter. Later, he became a printing supervisor with Hano in Mount Olive. From 1967 to 1981, he was a supervisor at Wall Street Journal in Highland. He then returned to painting, until retiring in 2001.

He and his wife vacationed with family during retirement. They enjoyed long drives, and listening to AM radio.

He also enjoyed the outdoors, taking care of his yard, and going fishing. He was known for his creativity, quick wit and being able to fill a room with laughter by his humor. But most important of all to him was the time he spent with his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family was what he cherished most.

Other survivors include daughters, Dawn C. (Steve) Polus of Marine, Jennifer L. (David) Rikli of Highland and Tanya (Mark) Slifka of New Douglas; grandchildren, Ashley N. (significant other Keith Parish) Dresch of New Douglas, Alisha C. Dresch of St. Louis, Mo., Annie M. Polus of Marine, Nicholas R. (girlfriend Brittany Davidson) Rikli of Granite City, Patrick A. (Nicole) Rikli of Surprise, Ariz., Hillary G. Rikli of Springfield, Ill., Emily Slifka of New Douglas, Natalie Slifka of New Douglas and Andrew Slifka of New Douglas; great-grandchild, Trinity L. and Quentin J. Dresch (twins) of New Douglas, Nikolle A. Rikli of Highland and Carl J. Rikli; step-grandchildren, Ian E. Polus of Litchfield, Lyle D. Polus of Hillsboro and Noah R. Polus of Litchfield; sisters, Maxine (Don) Morgan of Jacksonville, Fla., and Donna L. (Harley) Linn of Santa Fe, N.M.; a brother, Billy J. Simons of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, William “Bill” Simons, who had been part of Mr. Jarden’s life since he was 12; and brothers, Jerome D. Bond and Carl Dean Jarden.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 8:04 AM with the headline "Rodell Jarden, 76."