Samuel Evans

Sam Evans, 38, passed away Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 6:45 p.m. in the Inpatient Hospice Center of Van Wert, Ohio. He died quietly surrounded by his family following a three-year illness.

Sam was born August 2, 1972, to Gordon and Cherrie (Coon) Evans. He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon; his paternal grandparents David and Grace Evans and his maternal grandparents John and Gae Coon. He will be greatly missed by his mother, Cherrie Evans; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Jennifer Evans; niece and nephew, Audrey and Noah Evans; his sister, Carrie Evans and by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Sam Evans was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Van Wert and as a young man served on the Board of Deacons. Sam graduated from Van Wert High School where he participated in cross country. He attended Anderson University and earned a degree in Mortuary Science from Vincennes University. He worked as a certified phlebotomist for the American Red Cross in Fort Wayne, Indiana, prior to his illness.

Sam was an avid football fan for the Dallas Cowboys and the Ohio State Buckeyes. He followed the Chicago Cubs during baseball season and attended summer concerts at Deercreek to listen to his favorite rock bands. Sam organized summer road trips to Cedar Point to ride the roller coasters. While a student at Anderson University, Sam joined a bicycle touring group. During Spring breaks the group would take a bus to Leesburg, Florida, assemble their bikes and ride to Key West, Florida. They would stay at night with various churches helping with youth activities.

Family and friends will gather at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011, to celebrate the life of Sam Evans at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory with Rev. Constance Cherry officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Venedocia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the American Red Cross, Fort Wayne, Indiana or the Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert.