Obituary of Kyle J Evans Jr

Kyle was born February 7, 1926 in Monroe, Michigan to Kyle J Evans Sr. and Pauline (Nagy) Evans. He was admitted to Wellspring Lutheran Home in August and passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 23, 2016. He was the eldest of 6 children. After graduating from Monroe High School in 1944, he served in the US Army. Kyle met Leona (Lee) Dwyer from Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and they married November 6, 1948. They had three children, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. His children Ron (Pat) Evans, Lorene (Dave) Reed of Monroe, Michigan and Karen (Brian) Dunbar of Fort Collins, Colorado. Kyle was very close to each one of his grandchildren: Emily (Evans) Chris Adams; Erin (Evans) Aaron Dowen, Paul and Kirsten Reed, Joel and Jennifer Reed, Kyle and Jennifer Reed, Gabe and Caitlin Dunbar, Kyle Dunbar and Meghan Hammitt. In his final years, he received tremendous joy, love and lots of hugs from his eight great grandchildren: Maxx and Alec Adams, Ava and Evan Dowen, Rielyn and Braden Reed, Isabella and Sofia Reed. Each of these grandchildren will miss their Grandpa “Stash” dearly and each had a unique relationship with him that they will remember forever. Kyle served in Patton’s Third Army A Company during WWII attached to the 691st Tank Destroyers from 1944-1946. Military awards include: European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign, WWII Victory Medal, Occupational Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the German Victory Medal, and Sharpshooter Carbine. He participated in The Battle of the Bulge, The Siege of Bastogne and the Ardennes Offensive and as the war came to its end, he was in Aachen Germany. He was a life member of the VFW 1138 in Monroe, Michigan. Kyle was employed as a firefighter by the City of Monroe Fire Department from 1953 until his retirement as Fire Marshal in 1984. During his employment, he received various certifications from the State of Michigan as Fire Marshal and specialized in arson investigation. He attended Michigan State University, University of Michigan, the Michigan State Police Academy and the Criminal Justice Institute of Detroit. Kyle was a member of the International Association of Fire Investigators, the Metropolitan Detroit Fire Inspectors Society, and Michigan Fire Inspectors Society. He was authorized by the State of Michigan to inspect the operations and maintenance of hospitals and homes for elderly people. He also served 12 years on the pension board for the Monroe Fire Department, City of Monroe Civil Preparedness Program, City Preparedness Advisory Council and as Assistant Deputy Coordinator for the Civil Preparedness Program. His hobbies included playing the guitar, banjo, piano and harmonica. He enjoyed carpentry work and built or remodeled several homes in Monroe. He was “the chief contractor” for major remodel projects for each of his three children and seven grandchildren (and once bragged he was responsible for the repair and maintenance of 28 toilets in 3 states). He enjoyed wintering with Lee with frequent visits from children and grandchildren in their St. Pete Beach condo (the best condo in the world). They were long term members of Christ Lutheran Church. He never knew a stranger and his sense of humor and laugh were infectious. There were many nicknames used by his friends and family throughout the years: T-Shirt, Doggie, Gramps, Stash and J.R. We will remember him for his patriotism, his love of music and his love for his family…. and his sharp pegging ability in cribbage. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers James and Tom, and his sister Thelma (Evans) Turner. He is survived by Lee, his wife of 68 years, his children, and all grandchildren and great grandchildren, his sister Shirley (Evans) Nation and brother Roger Evans. Friends may gather on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North; 2442 North Monroe Street (734)384-5185. A Celebration of His life will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, October 27, 2016 also at Merkle’s, with Chaplain John Schinkel of Wellspring Lutheran Services officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Salvation Army of Monroe County, Michigan; 815 E. First Street (734)241-0440. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.