Obituary for Phillip A. "Phill" Evers
Phillip A. “Phill” Evers, 79, of Rensselaer, Indiana passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, October 1, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. He was born August 7, 1941, in Rensselaer, to the late Elmer and Bertha (Nuss) Evers.
Phill was a graduate of Rensselaer High School with the Class of 1960. He studied for a year at Purdue University, and finished his education at Indiana State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1965.
After college, he moved to Miami, Florida. Over the course of his career, he worked in several different professions: He worked as a zoo keeper; was a teacher at the Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Florida; was a landscaper at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida; and had his own landscape business in South Florida for several years.
After moving back to Rensselaer, he became the superintendent at Weston Cemetery, a position he held for over 12 years. He took great pride in the cemetery, and said that managing the cemetery was his favorite job he ever had.
On April 14, 2000, Phill married the love of his life, Lois (Brunton) Evers. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Evers Klein (husband: Steve) and Sarah Evers, both of Cumming, Georgia; one step-son, Steven Mechur (wife: Monica) of Italy; two step-daughters, Sheryl Hartman (husband: Leroy) of Valparaiso, Indiana and Kim McElroy (husband: Larry) of Lafayette, Indiana; and twin granddaughters, Jessica and Kaitlyn Klein, both of Cumming, Georgia. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one step-son, Kenneth Montgomery.
Phill was a member of the Rensselaer Church of the Nazarene. He was a member and Past President of the Rensselaer Lions Club. He was very active with the Lions and enjoyed participating and volunteering with club events. He was an avid reader and loved playing computer games. He adored cats and had an extensive collection of cat-themed knick knacks. Over the years he had several feline companions: Cotton, Nottoc (which is cotton spelled backwards – Phill was very creative!), Mittens and Buddy.
Friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 from 2-7 p.m. at Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer. A Lions Memorial Service will be held at the funeral home Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer with Rev. Lisa Ulrich officiating. Due to the current pandemic, the family requests that all attending services at the funeral home please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Inurnment will be at Weston Cemetery at a later date.
Contributions in Phill’s memory may be made to the Rensselaer Church of the Nazarene or the Rensselaer Lions Club.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.
Phill was a graduate of Rensselaer High School with the Class of 1960. He studied for a year at Purdue University, and finished his education at Indiana State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1965.
After college, he moved to Miami, Florida. Over the course of his career, he worked in several different professions: He worked as a zoo keeper; was a teacher at the Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Florida; was a landscaper at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida; and had his own landscape business in South Florida for several years.
After moving back to Rensselaer, he became the superintendent at Weston Cemetery, a position he held for over 12 years. He took great pride in the cemetery, and said that managing the cemetery was his favorite job he ever had.
On April 14, 2000, Phill married the love of his life, Lois (Brunton) Evers. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Evers Klein (husband: Steve) and Sarah Evers, both of Cumming, Georgia; one step-son, Steven Mechur (wife: Monica) of Italy; two step-daughters, Sheryl Hartman (husband: Leroy) of Valparaiso, Indiana and Kim McElroy (husband: Larry) of Lafayette, Indiana; and twin granddaughters, Jessica and Kaitlyn Klein, both of Cumming, Georgia. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one step-son, Kenneth Montgomery.
Phill was a member of the Rensselaer Church of the Nazarene. He was a member and Past President of the Rensselaer Lions Club. He was very active with the Lions and enjoyed participating and volunteering with club events. He was an avid reader and loved playing computer games. He adored cats and had an extensive collection of cat-themed knick knacks. Over the years he had several feline companions: Cotton, Nottoc (which is cotton spelled backwards – Phill was very creative!), Mittens and Buddy.
Friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 from 2-7 p.m. at Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer. A Lions Memorial Service will be held at the funeral home Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer with Rev. Lisa Ulrich officiating. Due to the current pandemic, the family requests that all attending services at the funeral home please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Inurnment will be at Weston Cemetery at a later date.
Contributions in Phill’s memory may be made to the Rensselaer Church of the Nazarene or the Rensselaer Lions Club.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.