Evan L. Farmer

Evan L. Farmer, age 94, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was welcomed into heaven on September 30, 2023, surrounded by his family filling the room with love, laughter, and tears. Evan was born on December 18, 1928, in Tipton, Indiana, to Burl and Mildred Farmer, who have preceded him in death. He graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend, Indiana, with the class of 1947. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State Teachers college in 1952, a Master’s Degree from University of Northern Colorado in 1958, and a Reading Specialist Certification from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in 1968. Evan loved teaching and taught elementary school in LaPorte and East Allen Schools for 40 years. In addition to teaching, he had a heart for God and served as a United Methodist lay pastor for 10 years in LaPorte and DeKalb Counties. Beginning in 1970, summers and evenings would find him following his dream of farming when they moved to a 40 acre farm near Harlan, Indiana.

On December 20, 1952, Evan married the joy of his heart, Mary Jane Fox. Although those early years had some tough times, they always had each other, their love, and their God. After the loss of 2 infant girls, they were blessed with 2 sons, Kevin and Kyle, and rounded out their family with the adoption of their baby girl, Kim. He was a constant example of God’s love and forgiveness, instilling a foundation of faith in all that knew him. He deeply loved his children and grandchildren and impacted their lives in amazing ways.

In addition to love and faith, Evan filled our lives with joy and laughter. His hearty laugh was often heard at family gatherings, camping trips, church events, and any time either he or someone else told a joke. His laugh was contagious and could fill the room. Hearing his laughter was matched only by the sound of his whistles. They called us home for dinner from 1/4 mile away, made work happier, and signaled his arrival to pick Mary Jane up after work.

Evan and Mary Jane enjoyed sharing their love and life experiences through the Engaged Encounter Program, attending concerts and theater productions, and singing. They traveled extensively around the United States and made many return trips to the Mountains of Colorado and Native American schools to volunteer in the classrooms. In recent years, they have spent many hours reading, completing puzzles, and pouring over the pictures of their lives. They have been blessed through their struggles and their joys. Evan will live on in our hearts, our memories, our songs, and our laughter.

Evan is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Farmer; children: Kevin (Shirley) Farmer, Kyle (Karen) Farmer, and Kim (Gary) Smith; grandchildren: William (Chelsey) Farmer, Rachel (Scott) Bushong, Rebecca (Phillip) Stenger, Andrew Smith, Elizabeth Smith, and Evan A. Farmer; five great-grandchildren: Sydney, Abrey, Evan J., Isaac, and Emerson; step-grandson, Chad (Amy) Davis and their children: Elli, Claire, Ava, Aila, and Owen; and nephew, Dan (Carol) Perkins. He is also survived by many of Mary Jane’s family who loved him dearly. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his infant daughters, Nannette Marie and Beth Ann Farmer; step-fathers, Claude Roberts and Henry Taylor; sister, Annabelle (Douglas) Perkins; and nephew, David Perkins.

Services celebrating Evan’s life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joe United Methodist Church with Pastor Glenn Knepp officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. A time for sharing love, laughter and memories will be provided following the service at a reception at Heritage Pointe of Ft. Wayne beginning at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Operation Smiles, PO Box 5017, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Arrangements entrusted to Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HockemeyerMillerFH.com for the Farmer family.