ESCANABA - Leo Theodore Evans, 77, Escanaba (Soo Hill), passed away on Friday, May 25, 2012, at his home. He was born on June 6, 1934, in Cornell, the son of the late Theodore and Victoria (Delaurelle) Evans. Leo was raised in Hendricks, Mich., and attended school there as well as the Cornell School.
On Oct. 23, 1954, he married the former Beverly Terrien of Cornell at Holy Family Church in Flat Rock. They lived in Hendricks for seven years and then moved to Soo Hill in 1961, into the home Leo built. He was a carpenter for Rodman Lumber for 25 years, then started his own business, "Leo T. Evans & Sons Carpentry" in 1987 which he retired from in September 2001. Leo was a member of the local 1510 Carpenter's Union for 50 years and received his gold cards in 2010 and was a member of St. Anthony Church. In his earlier years, Leo made his own banjo and guitar. He loved bluegrass and country music and played the banjo and guitar all his life. He was also a member of the "Birch Creek Bluegrass" band. He enjoyed playing instruments, fixing electronics, gardening and working on cars. Leo also enjoyed Sunday morning breakfast chats with his son Leo J. and looking out his dining area window to watch all the wildlife. Also from 1964 to 1968 he and Beverly owned the "Corner Bar" on Sheridan Road with Adele Jolly.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly of 57 years; sons: Leo J. of Escanaba, Randy of Vermont and William (Sonya) Evans of Lanse; daughters, Linda Myers of Escanaba and Judy Beaudry of Mason; 23 grandchildren, Brad (Carol) Evans, Adam, Tyler, Noah, Thacher, Tegan, Sonia, Britney, Alicia, Madison, Carigan, Ashley (Keith) Norman, Joseph, Cassandra, Zachary Evans, Autumn Stemick, Jonathan (Barb) Whitney, David (Jayne) Whitney, Vanessa Beaudry, Chelsea Lancour, Brenda Rae, Melissa (Russ) Schmidt, Stacy (Justin) Tallment; three great-grandsons, Colt Schmidt, Jaiden Tallment and Gabriel Evans; one daughter-in-law, Laura Evans Stemick; one sister-in-law, Verna Lapalm; three nieces, Renee, Cindy and Evelyn. As well as a special friend Keith Lavalley.
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Leo Theodore Evans
Leo was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clarence and Louis; one son, Donald; one grandson, Ryan; and one sister-in-law, Evelyn V. Evans.
Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, at the Allo Coolman Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with Fr. Rick Courier officiating. Burial will take place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery. A luncheon will follow burial in the parish hall at St. Anthony of Padua.
Please visit the website www.allofh.com to send online condolences to his family.
