David O. Evans

David O. Evans, 84 of St.Ignace Township passed away peacefully Saturday, December 10 at Spectrum Special Care Unit in Grand Rapids following a valiant battle with prostate cancer, bone cancer and pneumonia. He was born in Detroit April 27,1927 to Evan O. and Anna ( Caffey) Evans, and was raised in Ecorse,MI .After schooling he worked for the DeSoto Motor Car Co. in 1944 and then enlisted in the US Coast Guard. He was aboard ship, the USS Samuel Chase, with operations in Okinawa, Uithi, the Phillipines, Hakkaido, China, Hong Kong, Yokosuka, Siapan, Guam, Pelaki and Mayuro. He was discharged in 1947 and was a disabled American Veteran The family moved to the UP in 1952. and he started working for the Michigan DNR. . In 1962 he purchased the Flowing Well Bar & Restaurant, and the following year it burned to the ground. It was rebuilt with the help of the wonderful people of Fibre and Rudyard, because that is what these people do. In 1970 he built the first horseshoe pitching facility in the EUP and hosted many state and regional tournaments on the 15 court park. He also worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resourses as a Fire Officer, mostly in the Melstrand and Kinross Fire Towers.. The Flowing Well was sold after 30 years of ownership, and he continued to work until age 75 for the Forest Service. Often he entertained the family with beautifully sung Irish Ballads on the guitar, and will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed many a season at the "Boars Nest" camp. During winter he maintained mamy miles of snowmobile trails in the Fibre area. In his family eyes, he was a hero, and shaped many lives, especially his family. After retirement he enjoyed watching baseball & football and spending time at the poker table with family and friends.He was a member of the Moose Lodge #999, VFW, American Legion and DAV. On January 10,1948 he married Maxine Pabis in River Rouge, and she surviives; 2 sons, Kevin and Tina Evans, St.Ignace; Andrew and Missy Evans, Cheboygan; 2 daughters, Jennifer and Pat Thompson, Green Bay, WI., Ann Evans, St.Ignace; 2 sisters. Ruth Troshak, Chelsea; and Romain Stewart, Allen Park; 4 grandchildren ; and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by sisters, Mildred and Esther.and great grandchildren, Alyssa and Sydney. At his request cremation has taken place. Burial of his ashes will be in the spring at Carp River Cemetery. .Memorials may be directed to the family with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home who assisted with arrangements..

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David O. Evans

December 10, 2011