Evelyn Lois Easley, age 94 of Clintonville, WI, formerly of Gwinn, MI, passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2015 at Greentree Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Evelyn was born on August 30, 1921 in Elk Rapids, Michigan to the late James and Katherine McLain. She attended schools in the Elk Rapids area and was a 1938 graduate of the Elk Rapids High School. In May 1946 Evelyn was united in marriage to Claire Easley in Kentucky, and they first made their home in Munising, Michigan. Later they moved to Claire’s hometown of Marquette, Michigan, where the couple built a home and lived until Claire’s working for the railroad resulted in several moves over the next years, finally settling in Gwinn, Michigan in 1958. In October 2010 they moved to Angelus Retirement Center (now Aster) in Clintonville to be close to their oldest son. In August 2014 it became necessary for Evelyn to become a resident at Greentree Health and Rehabilitation Center. Evelyn was a past member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gwinn and a current member of the St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Evelyn loved dancing, especially square dancing. She was a member of the Palmer Squares in Palmer, Michigan and the Marquette Area Square and Round Dancers for many years. She and her husband, a square dance caller, taught square dancing, and Evelyn taught several classes of cued round dancing. The couple also enjoyed traveling to various square dance events in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Her favorite pastimes included sewing, knitting, crocheting, Sudoku puzzles, eating chocolate, and watching her game shows.
Evelyn is survived by three sons, Lowell (Penny) Easley of Clintonville, Lawrence Easley of Wayne, Michigan, and Leon (Cheryle) Easley of Augusta, Georgia and two daughters, Carol (Edward) Faber of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Dorothy (Kim) Bianchi of Gwinn, Michigan. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Brian (Christine) Easley of Saline, Michigan; Tom (Katie) Easley of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Melissa (John) Orweller of Portage, Michigan; Erin Easley of Clintonville; Steven Bianchi of Gwinn, Michigan; Lindsey Faber and Cory Faber of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition she is survived by great-grandchildren, Makayla and Alyssa Easley of Clintonville; Andrew and Emma Easley of Saline, Michigan; Eli Orweller of Portage, Michigan, and Samantha and Jonah Easley of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Claire, brother Versile McClain and sister Mildred Cole.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 27 at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Visitation will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Burial will be Wednesday, October 28 in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Marquette, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up for St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville, is assisting Evelyn’s family with the arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.eberhardtstevenson.com.
The Easley family would like to express a sincere thank you to Dr. Cynthia Egan for her compassionate care during the time Evelyn lived in Clintonville. They would like to also thank the staff of Angelus Retirement Community and Greentree Rehabilitation Center for their excellent care and support during Evelyn’s stay. No words can adequately express the appreciation the family has for the exceptional care given the last two months by RN Tina Ellis and the other staff of Heartland Hospice. We would also like to thank everyone who was involved in her spiritual life at St. Rose.