Wallace E. Evans Jr.

Wallace "Wally" Eugene Evans, Jr., age 68, of Highland, IN passed away on November 29, 2013. He was born in Mercy Hospital in Gary on July 1, 1945 to the late Wallace E. and Helen T. (Kozar) Evans, Sr. of Lansing, IL. They lived in Glen Park, IN before moving to Lansing, IL where Wally graduated from TF South High School. On May 13, 1967 he married Sheila Ogborn who survives as his loving wife of 47 years. Also surviving are his two sons: Steven M. and his wife, Rachel (Yankauskas) Evans and their children, Alec, Paige, Dawson, and Luke Evans (who passed away on November 30, 2001) and Jason A. and his wife, Andrea (Mathes) Evans and their children, Carter, Annabelle, Olivia, Cooper and Finley Evans. Also surviving are a sister, Bonnie A. (Evans) Streeter; his mother-in-law, Mildred (Olsen) Ogborn; and four brothers-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Steven M. Evans. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 4 at 10:00 AM at the Kuiper Funeral Home, Highland, IN with Rev. Paul Appold officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Glen Cemetery in Lansing, IL. Friends may meet with the family from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road, (2 blocks south of Ridge Road) Highland. From 1961 to 1974 Wally was employed as a frozen foods manager at Burger Supermarkets in Munster, IN. In early 1972, he started as a part-time organizer and in 1974 was hired as a full-time organizer and business representative for Local 1460, the retail clerks union of Lake County. In 1980 he became president of Local 1460, until it merged with Local 1550. Wally served as secretary/ treasurer of Local 1550 from 1986 to 1989. Local 1550 UFCW merged with Local 881 in 1989, and he served as the collective bargaining negotiator until he was named Director of Collective Bargaining in 1994. In 1996 he was named Executive Vice President and Director of Collective Bargaining. Wally has served as Union Trustee for the UFCW Calumet Insurance Fund, Union Trustee for the Chicago Midwest Pension and Health Funds, Democratic Precinct Committeeman in Highland, IN and as Vice President of the Northwest Federation of Labor AFL/CIO. Wally was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing, IL. Wally and Sheila split their time between their home in Highland, IN and their vacation home in Ludington, MI. Their home, appropriately named "Wally World" had a revolving door of family, friends, and guests. Wally and Sheila loved spending time together with their many friends and family, and two sons, Jason and Steven, and most importantly their grandchildren. Wally also was always helping others, mowing lawns, plowing snow, and taking care of others any way he could.