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Visitation:
12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday September 4, 2020 at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln
Service:
Private family services will be held at a later
date.
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Steven Wade Evans, 74, passed away at
7:27 p.m. on August 29, 2020 at his home surrounded
by his loving family.
Steve was born on June 7, 1946 in Bloomington to Roy
A Evans and Patricia (Wade) Evans. Both preceded him
in death along with his brother, Michael (Mick)
Evans of Kingsport, TN. He is survived by his wife,
Martha of Mount Pulaski, his two daughters, Stacey
Evans of Bloomington and Michelle Kretschman of
Oregon, WI. Steve, also known as, “G-Pa,” has two
grandchildren Mateo and Natalia Kretschman, whom he
considers perhaps his biggest accomplishment in
life. He is survived by a sister, Linda (Pete)
Rojahn of Germantown, WI. His loving family also
includes Rajean (Mark) Hoffman of Lincoln, Robert
Babbs Jr. of Emden, Darrin L. (Tabitha) Babbs II of
Lincoln and Eric Hoffman, Alyssa Hoffman, RaLynn
Babba, Korynn Hoffman, Claidyn Bottoms, JozaLynn
Babbs, Faye Babbs as well as Donald (Clindy) Babbs
and family of Hubert, NC, James A Babbs and family
of Lincoln, Jon (Melissa) Leistner and family of
Champaign, Barbara Babbs (Laura) of Howell, MI and
over 200 nieces and nephews and family all over the
country.
He leaves behind a great void in this world, which
will be today and always our duty as his children,
family and friends to try to fill with love,
compassion, humor, and gratitude.
A military man, Steve took great pride in his
service during the Vietnam War. He served four years
in active service of the Navy aboard the U.S.S
Brownson and two years in the Navy Reserves in
Bloomington. He earned multiple Bronze Stars and
medals for his bravery and service. This experience
gave him a profound love of his country, flags, and
eagles.
He enlisted in the Navy on the, “buddy system” with
his best friend, Gary Schenkel although they were
separated and sent to two different coasts. He soon
met Gary Boehmer on the U.S.S Brownson and their
friendship solidified as they spent hours
disassembling and reassembling a Harley Davidson
Chopper 1250 c.c. motorcycle they put together in
Gary’s home. After finishing the bike, the two
discovered they’d need to enlist the help of their
Navy friends to get it up out of the basement and
onto the pavement. This sparked his lifelong love of
working on cars and trucks. And he’d want us to
mention he’s a Ford guy.
Steve spent many hours with his father rebuilding a
1940 Ford pickup truck that he cherished for years.
His family traveled to many car shows where he would
often receive a first place trophy for Best Truck
and other times would win Best of Show. His love of
Ford trucks continued and ended with his beloved
Ford Raptor. His vehicles were always pristine. He
wouldn’t take them out in bad weather and if he had
to, they would be wiped down and cleaned up
immediately upon return. He took much pride in his
trucks and their upkeep. |
Described by everyone who knew him, a
strong and hardworking man, Steve worked for
Bridgestone Firestone/America OTR for 33 years, as
both a supervisor and tire builder. He was seen as a
leader and known for his strong work ethic. Steve
was a role model and friend to countless younger
guys who worked there, mentoring them in many ways
and ultimately teaching way beyond job skills, but
rather lessons in life. While he helped to train
many younger workers, one cannot forget that not one
of them could outdo his performance on the job. He
gave it all he had each and every day.
Steve supported and loved his two daughters, Stacey
and Michelle. Whether it was scraping the ice off
their windshields and warming up their cars at 6:30
a.m. so they could head off to school warm, helping
to build race cars in industrial technology, or
building an elaborate prop for a dance team, he was
as committed and involved as they come.
After he retired in 2003, Steve extended his love of
being a devoted father into being a dedicated
grandfather. He became a caretaker to his
grandchildren who had flown across the world from
Kazakhstan at ages three and one to join our family.
He taught them their ABC’s, to ride a bike, fish,
how to select the correct wrench, and above all,
trust. He always took extreme pride in being their,
“G-Pa.”
Although Steve had a tough exterior, he was a very
sensitive man not afraid to show his emotions and
act as a perfect gentleman. There isn’t a person he
wouldn’t help. You could often find him helping a
friend change their oil, rotate a tire, mow the
lawn, build a deck, or tinker with a truck. His
acute awareness of the importance of helping others
can still be felt far and wide. His servant heart
lives on in his daughters, Stacey and Michelle.
Steve was a rare combination of someone who had a
love of life and a firm understanding of what was
abundantly important: the simplicity of living life
with those you love.
At peace now, free of cancer and heart disease and
stronger than ever before, Steve has made his
journey to Heaven. He drove his truck, listening to
loud music, wearing his black t-shirt with the
sleeves cut off, jeans, and boots... and will
continue to be the rock of this family.
Private family services will be held at a later
date. A public visitation will be held from
12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday September 4, 2020 at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.
Memorials may be made in Steve’s name to the Wounded
Warrior Project.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Steven
Wade Evans
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