Gladys M. Evans

August 2, 1924 - May 5, 2018

Gladys M. Evans, 93, of Amsterdam, died on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at the home of her granddaughter, Jason and Jessica Kile in West Liberty, Ohio, surrounded by her family. Born August 2, 1924, in Taylor, Texas, she was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Marie (Meinen) Ihlenfeld; her husband, Jerome A. Evans, whom she married at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas on November 17, 1945. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Ruby Irene Kolinek and Alice Barron and son-in-law, Glen W. Dicken Jr. A member of the last graduating class in Taylor, Texas before the December 7th bombing of Pearl Harbor in her own written words she stated“As high school seniors on that July day, we were soon going to be called upon to be adults.” “As the world changes, so did our lives.” After graduation Gladys went to San Antonio, Texas and worked at Kelly Field Air Force Base assigned to the Curriculum Unit, Personnel and Training Department, working with college professors on loan from various colleges writing Technical orders for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. A long time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, she shared her talents and energy. She was tireless in her service to others and equally devoted to her family and wide circle of friends. She served her faith in many capacities on the local, statewide and national level; as President of St. Joseph’s Catholic Women’s Club, St. Joseph’s parish council, president of the Steubenville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, President of Coronation Deanery Catholic Women’s Club and attending many National Catholic Women’s Club conventions. Gladys was recognized on October 7, 2001, when presented the “Pro Ecclesia et pontifice” At Holy Name Cathedral, Steubenville by Bishop Gilbert I. Sheldon. The award was granted by St. John Paull II and translates to “For the church and Pontiff” It is given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding service to the church. In addition to her commitment to the church, she was active in agricultural groups serving on the Carroll County Extension Council, Committee member for the farmers home administration, Carroll County Farm Bureau Advisory Council, Carroll County Regional Planning Board and supporting her children’s activities as an advisor to 4-H Clubs and Farm Bureau Youth Groups. Gladys and Jerome worked hand in hand to raise their children, run the Dairy Operation, cherish their faith and love their country. She was a true Matriarch with her family. Gardening her fiercest devotion. It was her proudest accomplishment and source of great pride. She is survived by her son, Andrew J. Evans and his wife, Karen Evans, her son, Robert Evans and his wife, Jane Evans; daughter, Susan Dicken Yerian and her husband, John Yerian Jr., daughter, Catherine Shepherd and her husband, Robert Shepherd; her son, Christopher Evans and his wife, Cindy Evans. She leaves 13 grandchildren, Lyndsay (Michael) Gatto, Evan (Sarah) Harker, Krystal (Darren) Rentz, Joshua (Elaine) Evans, Jessica (Jason) Kile, Scott (Mary Beth) Dicken, Emily Joshua) Vallot, Michael (Stephanie) Evans, Leslie ( Fred) Kungl, Steven (Alyssa) Shepherd, Allyson Evans, Thomas Evans, Drake Evans and 17 great-grandchildren. She is an inspiration to all generations and personally was involved with her family hosting many family gatherings at the farm. She always met you at the door with fresh lipstick on and a smile on her face to welcome you home. She instilled in us all a passion to pursue education and to never stop learning. She always said, “No one can ever take your education away.” She loved to write letters and was happiest with a clean sheet of paper and a sharp pencil or her electromatic typewriter. She believed in hard work using common sense and to always do a job well done and she could play a mean game of cards. We have been blessed to have her love and guidance for so long. I guess she thought “We could handle things on our own now.” Visitation Friday from 4-7 p.m. in Dodds Funeral Home, Amsterdam. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, 10 a.m. at St Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Jack McCoy. Burial in Harlem Springs Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Catholic Women Club of St. Joseph, c/o Karen Niemic, P.O. Box 575, Amsterdam, 43903.