Erling Jay Varland, known to family and friends as Jay, passed away on May 20, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois, at the age of 79.He was born on August 28, 1946, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and lived a lif

Erling Jay Varland, known to family and friends as Jay, passed away on May 20, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois, at the age of 79.He was born on August 28, 1946, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and lived a life marked by kindness, loyalty, and devotion to the people and places he loved. Jay carried himself with a steady, humble spirit and was known for the warmth of his smile, his easy conversation, and the genuine interest he took in others. He built a life centered on family, friendship, and simple pleasures, and those who knew him will remember him for the love he gave so freely and the good humor he brought into everyday moments.Jay was a devoted husband to Elsa Sudaria, and together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and family. He took great pride in his children and stepchildren and was deeply grateful for the many blessings that came through his growing family. He is survived by his children, Patricia (Todd) Tesdal, Hesper (Dean) Matzo, and Matthew (Tracy) Varland; his stepchildren, Desiree (Chance) Reynolds and Rayve (Jeanette) Agustin; and his cherished grandchildren, Taggert Tesdal, Tucker Tesdal, Maveric Varland, Harleigh Varland, Gunner Varland, Brahm Matzo, Allari Reynolds, Jalia Agustin, Nikko Agustin, Kylan Agustin, and Araya Agustin. His grandchildren were among the great joys of his life, and he loved each of them dearly.He is also survived by his brothers, John Varland and Ralph (Donna) Varland; his brother and sister-in-law, Elvira (Michael) Balacaoc and Rosemary (Eddie) Sotelo; and his mother-in-law, Virginia Sudaria. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, John and Freda (Schmitke) Varland; his son-in-law, Darren Matteson; his granddaughter, Elle Tesdal; his sister, Betty (Robert) Ashbaugh; his brothers, Paul Varland and Harvey Varland; his sister-in-law, Renelle Varland; and his father-in-law, Miguel Sudaria. He is also preceded by his beloved dog, Chauncy, who was a faithful companion.Jay was a man who believed in community and service. He was proud to be part of the Morris Lions Club and the Morris American Legion, where he valued fellowship and the chance to serve alongside others. He also had a generous heart and a spirit that reached beyond his own community, including his support for children in the Philippines, where he donated money so schools could provide Christmas dinner for the kids. His kindness extended in meaningful ways, and he never lost sight of the importance of helping others when he could.In his free time, Jay enjoyed the outdoors and found peace in fishing and hunting. He loved the simple adventure of a good garage sale and the excitement of finding something unexpected. He was also a loyal sports fan, cheering for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs with the kind of enthusiasm that made those teams part of his everyday conversations. Above all else, Jay loved his grandkids, and his family will forever cherish the memories of his encouragement, his humor, and his steady presence in their lives.Jay’s life was one of devotion, generosity, and deep family ties. He will be remembered for the love he shared, the values he lived by, and the lasting impact he made on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will remain a source of comfort and strength to his family and friends for years to come.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jay’s name to the Morris Lion’s Club.A visitation for Jay will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the UC Davis-Callahan Funeral Home in Morris. A celebration of Jay’s life will follow at 1pm, officiated by Celebrant Carol Walker.