Evans, Ralph J. 1905-1984

EVANS, JAMES, SMITH, PAUL, BRIGNON, MITCHELL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/18/2011 at 09:07:21

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; March 19, 1984

RALPH EVANS SERVICES HELD

Ralph J. Evans, 78, died Tuesday, March 13, at the New Sharon Care Center following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Friends Church in Lynnville, with the Revs. Irene Weitert and Kenneth Santee officiating. Pallbearers were Arl Crews, Walton Van Maanen, Russell Gosselink, Bryce Gause, Glen Van Genderen and Gerald Ver Steeg.

Burial was at the Friends Cemetery, Lynnville, with the Harden Funeral Home of New Sharon in charge of arrangements.

The son of Thomas E. and Inez James Evans, he was born May 19, 1905, in the Blue Point area of Poweshiek County. He graduated from Searsboro High School in 1924 and attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa for a short time.

On March 12, 1932, he was married to Eleanor (Betty) Smith of Grinnell. Mr. Evans was employed by Standard Oil Co. in both Searsboro and Sully as a bulk-plant manager and tank-truck operator. Moving to Grand Prairie, Texas, he worked as a heat-treat operator in a foundry. He purchased the general grocery store in Lynnville in October 1948, continuing to operate the store until his retirement in 1969. Following his retirement, he served as a township assessor for several years.

Mr. Evans was a member of the Searsboro Friends Church and Lebanon Masonic Lodge No. 225.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Barbara K. Paul of Lynnville; two sons, Dale of San Francisco, Calif., and Dennis of Newton; four grandsons; one sister, Bessie Brignon of New Sharon; and one brother, Rex Evans of Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Jessie Mitchell.