August 12, 1935 – October 16, 2022
On October 16, 2022, peacefully and surrounded by his loving wife and family, Frederick “Fred” Lewis Evans of Sheridan left for his final fishing trip. Fred was born August 12, 1935, to Frank and Pearl Evans of Greenville, Pa.
Fred married his beloved wife, Ardell (Thrasher) Evans, on November 26, 1954, and they have celebrated 68 years of love and marriage together. Fred and Ardell 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 his 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, Fred moved from Pennsylvania to the Midwest and settled in Sheridan to begin what became a long and happy life with an ever-growing family. Fred 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 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. He was a strong man that valued hard work and honesty. He passed down to all his children the same strength and devotion to their own families.
Fred was the best Grandpa and was so proud of his grandchildren. He 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 newborn great-grandchildren. He loved to tease all the kids and see them smile.
Fred 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, Pa., Gentry Excavating, Biddle Manufacturing, and Herschel Graham’s Gas Station, all in Sheridan.
Fred 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.
Fred 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, Minn., on the Vermillion River and was a 29-pound, 54-inch Northern Pike. He 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 day’s catch. Fred also found his passion in wild-game hunting. He 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.
Fred is survived by his wife, Ardell (Thrasher) Evans; his children, Fred Evans, Jr. (Christy) of Lima, Ohio, Theresa Evans of Sheridan, and Bruce Evans of Sheridan. Fred’s nine grandchildren include Brad Sutton (Adrian), Jeff Sutton, Todd Jones, Kyle Jones (Stef), Rodger Chaudion, Brett Evans (Sandra), Stacey Dollahan (Steven), Danielle Richie (Zach), and Bruce Evans. He was also blessed with 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, Olivia, and Raegan; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Fred is preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Ann Sutton (Charles); his parents, Frank and Pearl Evans; brothers, Bill and Ted Evans; sisters, Marian Smith, Winifred “Winnie” Spain, Alice Frye (Jim), and Romona “Monie” Pitts (Al); grandson, Andy Tishner; a great-grandson, Austin Sutton; and his loving mother-in-law, with whom he shared a special bond, Armina Swift.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sheridan Fire and Rescue Department in honor of all their support during Fred’s final years or to the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 67 of Sheridan for the gracious dinner that will be provided in memory of Fred.
To honor the extraordinary life of Fred Evans, Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Boxley Cemetery, 25911 Six Points Road, Sheridan.
A Celebration of Life dinner will be held at 12:30 p.m. upstairs at the American Legion in Sheridan immediately following services. Please come and help us honor Fred with wonderful laughter, stories of the past, and help us say goodbye to one of the good ones.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com