Frederick ‘Fred’ Lewis Evans
August 12, 1935-October 16, 2022
Frederick ‘Fred’ Lewis Evans, 87, of Sheridan, left for his final fishing trip peacefully and surrounded by his loving wife and family on Oct. 16, 2022.
Fred was born Aug. 12, 1935, to Frank and Pearl Evans of Greenville, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Evans married his beloved wife, Ardell (Thrasher) Evans, on Nov. 26, 1954, and they have celebrated 68 years of love and marriage together. The couple shared an amazing life together and anyone that knew them, knew they came as a package. Their love was everlasting and stood strong as the years went by. One of Mr. Evans’ final comments to his family was acknowledging his love for Ardell saying, “I love that woman! I wouldn’t have made it without her. I’ve been with her my whole life.” Although he was always proud of catching the biggest fish, his true pride in life was that he caught the biggest prize of all, his dear wife Ardell.
In 1954, Mr. Evans moved from Pennsylvania to the Midwest and settled in Sheridan to begin what became a long and happy life with an ever-growing family. He was the proud father of four wonderful children that were the joy of his life. He was the proudest dad and could often be heard telling stories about all of his children’s successes in life. He stood with his children in good times and bad making sure that regardless of the outcome that they knew they were loved. Mr. Evans was a strong man that valued hard work and honesty. He passed down to all of his children the same strength and devotion to their own families.
He was the best Grandpa and was so proud of his grandchildren. Mr. Evans could be seen on the sidelines of ball games, attending grandparent’s days at their schools, talent shows, watching many weddings, and holding lots of new born great-grandchildren. He loved to tease all the kids and see them smile.
Mr. Evans worked for Ford Motor Company in Indianapolis for 40 years as a Tool and Precision Die-Cutting Specialist. He retired from Ford in 1997 and celebrated 25 years of retirement this year. Prior to his extensive career at Ford Motor Company, Fred worked for Greenville Steel Car in Greenville, Penn., Gentry Excavating, Biddle Manufacturing and Herschel Graham’s Gas Station, all in Sheridan.
He was a long-standing member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge in Pickard, Ind., and was raised to Master Mason by his son, Bruce Evans. He was proud of being a Brother Mason and was honored to live by their principles and share in the fellowship.
Mr. Evans will be remembered as a skilled fisherman, avid hunter, and an expert storyteller. His stories ranged from finding many coolers full of morel and snake head mushrooms in the woods of Michigan and Indiana; the battles with Tennessee’s water snakes; fishing and boating the chilly waters of Minnesota and Ontario, Canada; and even bear hunting in the hills of Pennsylvania. He was one of the greatest fishermen that people knew. He was so proud to tell everyone that his biggest fish was caught in Orr, Minnesota on the Vermillion River and was a 29-pound 54-inch Northern Pike. Mr. Evans loved to go fishing with his wife and kids as well as the many friends he made over the years. He was always happiest in the seat of his boat, his family and friends by his side, a fishing pole in his hand, and the sun coming up over the horizon. There was always a plentiful feast to follow with the days catch.
He also found his passion in wild-game hunting. Mr. Evans would often travel to Iowa with his bird dogs to score his prized pheasants and quail; enjoyed hunting deer, rabbit, and raccoon in Indiana; and hunting geese, turkey, rabbit, and deer in Pennsylvania. It provided him a great honor to teach his sons how to trap game. He was also proud of his many accomplishments as a self-taught bowler and golfer – earning trophies in both throughout the years.
Survivors include his wife Ardell (Thrasher) Evans; three children Fred Evans, Jr. (Christy) of Lima, Ohio, Theresa Evans of Sheridan and Bruce Evans of Sheridan; nine grandchildren Brad (Adrian) Sutton, Jeff Sutton, Todd Jones, Kyle (Stef) Jones, Rodger Chaudion, Brett (Sandra) Evans, Stacey (Steven) Dollahan, Danielle (Zach) Richie and Bruce Evans; 27 great-grandchildren Kaleb, Nikki, Summer, Emma, Logan, Alyssa, Bryce, Brandon, Wyatt, Anna, Austan, Drew, Brooke, Bailey, Jeffrey, Kate, Dane, Rory, Cayden, Collin, Parker, Cooper, Addie, Gabrealla, Abigail, and Olivia and Raegan; and eight great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Debra Ann Sutton (Charles); parents Frank and Pearl Evans; two brothers Bill Evans and Ted Evans; four sisters Marian Smith, Winifred ‘Winnie’ Spain, Alice (Jim) Frye and Romona (Al) ‘Monie’ Pitts; grandson, Andy Tishner; great-grandson Austin Sutton; and his loving mother-in-law, which he shared a special bond with, Armina Swift.
The family requests donations be made to the Sheridan Fire and Rescue Department in honor of all their support during Mr. Evans’ final years or to the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 67 of Sheridan for the gracious dinner that will be provided in memory of Mr. Evans.
To honor the extraordinary life of Mr. Evans, Graveside Services are scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, at Boxley Cemetery, 25911 Six Points Rd., Sheridan.
A celebration-of-life dinner is scheduled to be held upstairs at the American Legion in Sheridan at 12:30 p.m. immediately following the service. Come and help the family honor Mr. Evans with wonderful laughter, stories of the past and help them say goodbye to one of the good ones.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan.