Walter Lynn Evans, 76, of Vandalia, died on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, at Unity Baptist Church in Vandalia, and also one hour prior to services. A Celebration of Life will begin 11 a.m. on Friday, May 19, at Unity Baptist Church in Vandalia with Pastor Leon Goff officiating. Hohlt and File Funeral Home of Vandalia is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Evans was born to Charles Warren Evans I and Rea Olyve (Leidel) Evans on Jan. 2, 1947, in Vandalia. He married Tina Ann (King) Evans on Jan. 15, 1988, in Las Vegas, NV.
Mr. Evans started working at the age of 14 at the Harris Grocery Store in Vandalia. He was dedicated and hardworking; starting work at such a young age developed his work ethic. Mr. Evans became a registered nurse in 1968, serving stateside in the Navy at the Newport Naval Hospital in Newport, RI, during the Vietnam War from 1968-1970. He was proud to continue the tradition of his father’s military service.
Mr. Evans later became a certified registered nurse anesthetist. He worked as an anesthetist for almost 50 years, first at the Fayette County Hospital, later the Effingham Surgical Center and finished his career back at Vandalia’s Fayette County Hospital. For many years, he was the only anesthetist at FCH. Mr. Evans sacrificed many hours of family time to care for the sick and injured. He would not have wanted it any other way. Not only was he outstanding at his profession, but the attention and personal care he provided to his patients was as important to him as his knowledge and practices as a CRNA.
Although he did not currently belong to a church, Mr. Evans held true to biblical commands as he gave generously and was a “father to the fatherless” in many ways. He loved to share his wisdom and talent of hunting and guided many men, women, boys and girls on their first hunt. Seeing others succeed in this way was as rewarding to him as his own trophy hunts. Mr. Evans was a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. He achieved the American Grand Slam and also harvested a Boone & Crockett Buck in 2005.
Mr. Evans love and pride for his family, children and grandchildren was as big as his giving heart. He deeply valued many lifelong friendships, and made friends wherever he went. He had friends across the country due to his avid love of hunting, fishing and collecting native American Artifacts.
Mr. Evans is survived by his wife; children, Stephanie (Brent Tedrick) Thomas and Greg (Faith) Evans, all of Vandalia; stepsons, Jeremy (Robyn) Easton of Longmont, CO, and Jason (Becky) Easton of Chatham; beloved grandchildren, Jaden Evans, Jace Thomas, Ayla Evans and Raven Evans, all of Vandalia, Jaxon Easton and Hudson Easton, both of Chatham, Bowen Easton of Longmont, CO, and Lilly Tedrick and Cooper Tedrick of Vandalia; and sister, Tanja Ervin of Vandalia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Raella Evans, Charles Evans II and Brad Evans.
Memorials may be made to the Evans Public Library, Fayette County Cancer Fund or the Carl Rhodes Barnabas Fund. Condolences can be left online at www.hohltandfilefh.com.
