John M. Evans

John M. Evans, 89, of Van Wert, died at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born December 7, 1923, in Chase, Mich., the son of the late James R. and Nellie J. (Mohr) Evans. On April 11, 1947, he married Gwen M. (George) Evans, who preceded him in death on December 4, 2007.

Survivors include three children, John C. (Jeanette) Evans of Lima, Margaret (Doug) Snyder of Cincinnati and Jean L. (Evans) Graboski of Texas; a brother, William B. (Nancy) Evans of Van Wert; two sisters, Bertha (Von) Now of Massillon and Joann (Robert) Wilkins of New Knoxville; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Rachael) Evans, Joshua (Jamie) Evans, Justin (Amanda) Evans, Sara (Joshua) Brittingham, Amanda Snyder, Derek Snyder and Ross Graboski; three stepchildren, Julia (Matthew) Clark, Jennifer (Eric) Garver and Jessica (David) Roller; and six great-grandchildren.

A brother, James D. Evans (killed in World War II); and two sisters, Nellie Kuhlman and Sabina Lodge, also preceded him in death.

Mr. Evans was a rural mail carrier in Venedocia and Delphos, worked at Federal-Mogul Corporation in Van Wert, farmed, and was a former York Township clerk. He was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia.

Mr. Evans served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 1943-1946, in the European Theatre under General George H. Patton. He was in the 65 Infantry and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and various other medals and ribbons. He was a member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6772 in Spencerville and the local Disabled American Veterans Unit.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. John Marbaugh officiating. Burial will be in Venedocia Cemetery, with graveside military rites performed by the combined honors units of Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803, both of Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 2-7 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Salem Presbyterian Church Improvement Fund or the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.