Robert J. Evans, Sr.

Robert J. Evans, Sr., age 80, of Coesse, passed away at 5:26 pm on Friday April 26, 2024, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born on September 5, 1943, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Norman and Mabel (Waldron) Evans.

Bob attended Lafayette Central High School and graduated with the Class of 1961.

Bob then took to the highway with a lifelong career as a semi-truck driver for 47 years, spanning over 5 million miles.  He was a big Purdue Boilermaker fan, and enjoyed watching sports, NASCAR, and telling great stories.

Survivors include his daughters Donette (Joseph Downing) Cassman of Hickory, North Carolina, Dawn Evans of Bertram, Texas, and Robert (Shannon) Evans Jr. of Coesse; step-children Jennifer (Mike) Olinger, Juliana (Steven) Johnson, Scott (April) Frazier, William Lanier, all of Columbia City; grandchildren, Ashlee Grant, Cameron Evans,  Maddison (AJ) Anglin, Hannah (Heather) Swarts, Mollie (Conner) Richards, Emma Coy, Elijah Frazier, Jonah Frazier, Taliah Frazier, Zachariah Frazier, Elainah Frazier, and Lucah Frazier; 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years Barbara Evans, siblings Gene Evans, Conrad Evans, Beverly Tustison, Jackie Bradbury, and Michael Evans.

Friends may call on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

A memorial service for Bob will be held at 1:00 pm  on Friday at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Union Township Cemetery, Coesse.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bob may be made to National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send condolences or to sign the online guest register.