12/28/2025

Obituary for Dale Evans

Grandfather of Jenn Schlosser, OFDA Northwest Regional Director, and Brian Schlosser, Owners of Schlosser Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Dale Evans, 96, passed away 1:25 p.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Vancrest of St. Marys. He was born on December 22, 1929 in Knox County, Indiana to William O. & Helenia (Cardinal) Evans, who have preceded him in death. On December 21, 1957 he married Marie Owens, who passed away on July 2, 2000.

Survivors include his two children, Kathy M. Neidhardt, of Wapakoneta and Randy D. Evans, of Monroe, MI; four grandchildren, Jennifer M. (Brian) Schlosser, of Wapakoneta, Eric D. (Cpt. Raenette, US Army) Neidhardt, of West Point, NY, Andrew J. (Miranda) Neidhardt, of Bowling Green and Rylee G. Evans, of Gibraltar, MI; five great-grandchildren, Johnathon T. (Tessa) Schlosser, of Columbus Grove, Broderick M. Schlosser, Jillian M. Schlosser and Joan M. Schlosser, all of Wapakoneta and Jeffrey M. Smith, of Bowling Green; two siblings, L. Max Evans and Lois J. Ruppel; five siblings-in-laws, Roberta Evans, Doris Owens, Alida (W. Harold) Drummonds, Nila Edwards and Claude E. Owens; two step-daughters, who thought of him as a father-figure, Kathy (Raymond) Manchester and Cheri (Michael) Simasko.

He was preceded in death by eight siblings, W. Paul (Rosemary) Evans, J. Ruth (Elmer) Figg, Ruby O. (Raymond) Sievers, Bernard Evans, H. Wayne Evans, Wanda M. Evans, Marjory F. (Ralph) Ruppel, and H. Clarence Evans; nine sibling-in-laws, A. Donald Ruppel, Z. Myrtle Owens, Albert L. (R. Nadine) Owens, David W. Owens, Bonnie M. Jones Hagewood, James F. "Boots" (Imogene) Owens, S. Cleo (Millard) Berry, Marshall H. "Goldie" (A. Pauline) Owens and Betty Owens; and former wife, Olive Evans.

During eighth grade he went to live with local family friends, the Neals, where he helped them on their farm and was treated as one of their own children. Dale continued to visit home frequently, but considered them his second family. Following his 1948 graduation from Decker High School, Decker, IN, he returned home. After deciding he didn't want to follow in his dad's footsteps and work on a farm, he moved to Monroe, MI, in hopes of better jobs. Dale worked at the Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Factory and River Raisin Paper while living with family friends, the Strokotters. It was during that time, on a lunch break, that he met Marie, at her sister's restaurant, The Harmony. Before their marriage, he built their home, where he stayed until he was 95 and a half.

In 1958, he began working at the Clark Gas Station on Telegraph Road before becoming the manager and later the dealer/franchisee of the S. Monroe Street location. The rest as they say, is history. For decades, Dale was a fixture at his gas station, doing every job and talking to all the people. An incredibly hard worker, he took great pride in taking care of his station. When Clark was going to close the location, his son, Randy, purchased it and Dale continued working at their Evans Gas Station. Following retirement (meaning he just showed up later and went home earlier) he spent weekday mornings at the S. Monroe Street McDonald's, where he loved to sit at the "old guys table", sharing stories and senior coffees.

Able to do and fix just about everything, Dale was proud to be the church handyman and groundskeeper at Monroe Primitive Baptist Church, where he attended. When not working at the station or helping at church, he enjoyed his hobby of purchasing homes to remodel and rent. For decades, Dale worked on houses, meeting people and collecting stories along the way. He may also be remembered for his summer activities of selling Indiana watermelons, brought to Monroe by his brother, Wayne. Living directly across from the fairgrounds provided him with the opportunity to park cars during the Monroe County Fair, having many repeat customers year after year. Somehow Dale still found time to travel. He and Marie visited every state, except Alaska, often with family members along for the ride. After Marie's passing, he volunteered for the former Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe, where he was volunteer of the year in 2004.

Dale never knew a stranger and was an incredibly animated story teller. He is the true definition of a hard worker, as he'd rather go dig a ditch than sit still. However, he always prioritized his family and was an amazing provider. We aspire to live like Dale... with no regrets, just a long life full of stories, memories and dedication to family.

Family and friends may visit from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Wapakoneta.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at the Allore Chapel - Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, Monroe, MI. Family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home. Private interment will take place in Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to your local hospice organization.