John R. Evans

John “Jack” R. Evans, 80, of, Navarre, passed away unexpectedly at Affinity Medical Center on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 with his family by his side. He was the second child of 4 children, born on April 28, 1936 in Canton, Ohio to William C. and Helen (Thompson) Evans. Jack graduated from the former Navarre High School with the Class of 1954. He then went on to Stark Technical College and graduated with a degree in Fire Science in 1997. He also graduated from Stark County’s first paramedic class. He married Vivian Lechner on July 21, 1956. Jack was a former Navarre Village Police Patrolman and member of the Village Police Auxillary. He retired as a custodian at the former Newman School in the Tuslaw Local School District. Jack was employed for over 40 years by Bethlehem Township Trustees in the Zoning Department. Jack has been in the Fire Service for 64 years, being an active fireman and EMS volunteer in Bethlehem Township Fire and Rescue and the Navarre Village Fire Department since age 16. Jack attended St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Navarre. He was a charter member of the Navarre-Bethlehem Township Historical Society. Jack also was a co-president of the Fairless Senior Citizens for 9 years and a Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 928. Jack was a former member of the Navarre Moose, the Navarre Lions Club and the Towpath Trail-Y Silver Sneakers, Stark County Arson Inspector and member of AAI. He was a Docent and participated in the Enchanted Forest at the Wilderness Center. Jack was on the Board of Directors of the Stark County Agricultural Society (Fair Board) for many years; taking his grandfather John E. Thompson’s seat on the board, representing Bethlehem Township in the late 1950’s. Jack currently holds memberships with the Massillon Senior Center, Massillon Museum, The Wilderness Center, Brewster-Sugarcreek Historical Society, Farm Bureau, SERS, Ohio Township Association, AARP, MOPS, Stark County Firemen’s Association and Colonial Williamsburg. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Vivian; son, Dennis (Linda) Evans; grandson, Benjamin Evans of Barberton; step-grandchildren, Mike and Scott Flack and their families of Wooster, Ohio. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Lester Evans and 2 infant grandchildren, Jeanette Evans and Dennis Chung Evans. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 22, 2017 from 1-4 p.m. at the Paquelet Funeral in Massillon. The SCFFA Firefighter’s Last Alarm Service will take place promptly at 4 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Navarre at 11 a.m. with Dr. Cliff Price officiating. Burial will follow at East Union Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Navarre or to Navarre-Bethlehem Township Historical Society. Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory 330-833-3222