John Evans

VAN WERT, Ohio - John M. Evans, 89, of Van Wert, died at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert.

He was born Dec. 7, 1923, in Chase, Mich., to the late Nellie J. (Mohr) Evans and James R. Evans.

His wife, Gwen M. (George) Evans, died Dec. 4, 2007. They were married April 11, 1947.

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

He was preceded in death by a brother: James D. Evans who died in WWII and two sisters: Nellie Kuhman and Sabina Lodge.

He was a rural mail carrier in Venedocia and Delphos, worked at National Seal in Van Wert, farmed and was a former York Township clerk in Van Wert County. He was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church, Venedocia, Ohio.

He was a WWII veteran who served from 1943-1946 in the European Theatre under General George Patton. He served in the 65th Infantry and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and various other medals and ribbons.

He was a member of the Van Wert American Legion, Spencerville VFW and DAV.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. The Rev. John Medaugh will officiate. Burial will be in Venedocia Cemetery, Venedocia. Military graveside services will be conducted by Van Wert American Legion & VFW Posts.Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2013, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Salem Presbyterian Church Improvement Fund OR Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.