John C. “Barney” Evans, age 102, of Wilmington, loving husband of the late Mary “Louise” Carrigan Evans, passed away peacefully on Friday November 25, 2022 at St. Francis Hospital.
Barney was born in Oxford, PA to the late Charles D. and Mary McElwain Evans. In his youth he delivered newspapers on his bike, worked as a short order cook in a Diner, and was on the track team at school. He met and married his High School Sweetheart Mary “Louise” Carrigan after graduation. He was an Army veteran serving his country in WWII and received a Purple Heart.
Barney is survived by three children, Mary Lou (Jeff) Barcome, Thomas (Phyllis) Evans and John M. (Yong) Evans, his three grandchildren Susan, Sonja, and Richard, his 4 great grandchildren Lauren, Jeffrey, Mason, and Chase, and his two great great grandchildren Joseph and Evelyn. His wife of 77 years, Louise, his infant son Ronald, his sister Dorothy Earo and his brother “Abie” Evans predecease him.
After the service Barney worked at the Pennsylvania Railroad (Amtrak) as a machinist until he retired in 1980. He often smiled as he said, “I’ve been retired longer than I worked”. He was proud of the house he lived in which he built with the help of his father. He had a dry sense of humor and loved to tease and then would laugh at himself. He loved to fish and golf. He was passionate about his vegetable garden, and he loved to drive. He and mom traveled out west without an itinerary so had many funny stories to tell. In the fall it was a drive to see the leaves and in his later years he and mom loved to take a ride to Amish country and get lunch.
A visitation will be held at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, Wednesday December 7, from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Immediately following the visitation will be a celebration of life at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers the family suggest donations be made to Christ The Cornerstone-Elsmere, 6 North Clifton Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805.
For online condolences visit www.mccreryandharra.com.
