Luba Evanoff

Passed away at her daughter’s home in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she had been living for the last six years. Formerly, she had lived in Fort Wayne after immigrating at age eleven to the U.S. from Vishini, Aegean Macedonia. She married Carl Evanoff of Lansing, Michigan in 1946 and they ran the family business, North Lansing’s Bill’s Restaurant and Bar, until it closed in 1974. With her husband, she started Classic Arms Company, where she specialized in black powder merchandise. After Carl’s death, Luba and her daughter, Yvonne, continued running the business until its closing after 50 years. She had many friends in both Lansing and Fort Wayne who will remember her for her indomitable spirit and her utter selflessness. She was invariably ready with a smile that lit the room, a warm hug and, if possible, a huge home-cooked meal. She was a founding member of St. Andrew Orthodox Church and remained a devoted and unwavering daughter of her faith. She was that extraordinarily rare person who saw humor in life. Although she spoke Macedonian and English fluently, she sometimes was unable to avoid the collision of cultures and language resulting in hilarious malapropisms. Her children will always remember her as the best of mothers who put them before herself throughout her life. She was preceded in death by, her husband, Carl Evanoff Sr., her mother and father Slavka, and Vasil Tsintsaroff, her brother George, and her son-in-law, Lawrence Joseph. Luba is survived by her sisters, Connie Skimos, and Rosy Ridenour (Edgar); her children, Yvonne Evanoff-Joseph, Victoria VerPlanck (Alan), Carl Evanoff Jr. (Juleen), and Eric Evanoff (Marjorie); her grandchildren, Anna, Zoe and Carl VerPlanck (Nicola), Gabriel and Raphael (Loryn) Evanoff, Emily, Claire and Alexander Evanoff; a great-grandson, Alan David VerPlanck; and loving nieces and nephews.

Calling hours in Fort Wayne at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Monday, December 28, starting at 4 pm with a Trisagion prayer service at 6:30 pm.

The funeral service is 10:30 am, Wednesday December 30, at St Andrew Orthodox Church in East Lansing, Michigan followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Calling hours at Estes-Leadley Funeral home on Tuesday, December 29, from 4 to 8 pm with a Trisagion prayer service at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice or St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.

Klaehn, Fahl, Melton Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.