Wallace Ervin Varela Obituary (1961 - 2011)

Wallace Ervin Varela Sr.Wallace Varela Sr. age 50 and a resident of the Tule River Reservation passed away on October 7, 2011. Wallace was born in Tulare on October 6, 1961 to Ray Varela and Gloria Ellen Christman. Wallace attended local school before going to Sherman Indian High School in Riverside from where he graduated in 1979. After graduating he returned to Porterville where he attended PJC and spent the rest of his adult years. Wallace had been employed as a firefighter for the Heletech Crew US Forrest Service for 15 years. He was currently employed for the Tule River tribe in various positions. Aside from loving to work, he also enjoyed attending Church on the Hill, hunting, was an avid reader and especially loved spending time with family. Those who knew Wallace also knew he was a smart, assertive and hard working man and will be missed dearly. He was preceded in death by his father Ray Varela, mother Gloria Christman Garfield and a brother Richard Manuel. Surviving family include 2 sons: Wallace Varela Jr. of the Tule River Reservation and Anthony Varela of Redding, CA. 1 daughter: Natalia Shaw of Redding, CA. 3 brothers: Lawrence Manuel, Raymond Varela and Mario Varela all of the Tule River Reservation. 6 sisters: Cynthia Gomez and husband Bernard of Sacramento, Candace Varela, Stacey Corona, Sonja Varela, Lisa Garfield and Sibyl and Ramon Avalos all of the Tule River Reservation. Visitation will be at Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Chapel from 2:00 - 4:00 pm Monday, October 10, 2011 followed by a 6:00 pm rosary at the Mater Dolorosa Catholic Mission. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 also at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Mission at 10:00 am followed by interment at the Lower Cemetery Tule River Reservation. To sent condolences please visit www.whitehurstfuneral.com. For additional information please contact Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral & Cremation Service, 195 N. Hockett St., Porterville, CA 93257. (559)784-6485