My condolences go out to Evan's family and friends. I worked with Evan for several years and found him to be a wonderful man who spent his life helping people. He always had a smile on his face and was always optimistic through thick and thin. He will be missed by many.

Dear Joan
I just found out that our dear Evan has passed.My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so happy that I got to see him when he was here for the Grey Cup.My Gerry and I had wonderful memories when he would come to Edmonton.Love to you 
Sonja

Evan took me to two Malvern proms as a teenager.  We belonged to BYPU at Calvary with Rev Dr Sneyd who also introduced us to Camp Manitomono with the other Calvary kids. 
Evan was Santa Claus to my three children and their cousin James Dooley. A box of home-baked Christmas goodies was all the thanks he needed. When Evan bumped into my kids Kyle, Kate and Mike at Camp Manitomono, they never guessed that Evan was their Santa Claus. They know now.
A life well lived with challenges met with grace - thanks be to God for the gift of Evan.

Dear Joan,  I was so sorry to hear of Evan's Passing.  Unfortunately  we are not able to attend Evan's visitation or Funeral but we want you to know Joan,  our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.  Evan would cover our Funeral Home when Bonnie and I were on holidays and always did a very professional service. We have great memories of Evan. He always thought 
a lot about you and spoke of you often, I'm sure you will really miss him Joan as we will too.

Our deepest sympathy
Bryon & Bonnie Downs
Downs & Son Funeral Home---Hepworth 

Joan and family.  We were saddened to hear of Evan passing away. Not only did he help me as an apprentice but, as so many others have said, became a friend. He was an inspiration to myself in many ways. You are in our thoughts and our prayers. 

Dear Joan and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Evan's passing.   I have known Evan for over 30 years, we bonded over our love for animals.   I remember Evan as always being very proud of his family, his love of bringing joy to children when he played Santa Claus, his love of being a funeral director, and the profession as a whole.  Of course we can't forget about his love for football or for the old cars.   He was true gentleman and he was loved and respected by many.  
Evan may be gone in body but he will remain with us in spirit and will never be forgotten.   
Rest in peace dear Evan, you are now with all your dear friends at Rainbow Bridge.



Evan was a fine gentleman and I met him years ago, when he used to cover at the Downs & Son Funeral Home in Hepworth.  He loved to sing and I recall the funeral, when the family asked Evan to sing at their mother's funeral held in the funeral home.  So unaccompanied, Evan sang the requested hymn for the family.  This may have been the first time a funeral director sang for the family.
He lived life to the fullest and all that knew Evan admired his outlook on life, his professionalism and his courage when fighting cancer.
Joan, my sincere condolences to you.  I know he loved you very much and I hope the wonderful memories you have of your brother give you comfort in the days ahead.  Gail (Downs) McKeown

Dear Joan and family. I am so sorry to hear of Evan's sudden passing. My sister Nan and I have happy memories of great days spent with him at Kimberley School and with the Main and Gerrard crew and also fond memories of our high school years at Malvern C.I.He was a true friend and gentleman  and we will all miss him so very much.The beautiful video tribute captures his essence perfectly. It was a privilege to have known him.He  has left his handprint on many hearts.Sincerely Dorothy 

Evan was a fellow student at Malvern and an important contributor to both the Football and Hockey teams. At that time, he lived on Wayland Avenue, and was a member of a group of friends that he maintained contact with for his entire life. We followed different professional careers, and went our separate ways, but Evan routinely found ways to stay in touch. I last met Evan in Ottawa a few days before the 2017 Grey Cup game and fondly reminisced about the Beaches, Malvern and our mutual friends. He touched many lives and contributed to my life for nearly 60 years.
God speed my friend. Per Ardua Ad Astra!
Rich Gage
Malvern 1957-64

Root, thanks for being my friend. You made live better for everyone around you. 
We had many great memories and a whole bunch of laughs throughout Malvern and beyond. 
Say hi to Eddie for me up there when you see him.

Your Pal
Scotch

To Evan my extra brother. I was honoured to hear you call me sis. I loved the times Mom would call and tell your reception at work that she had made your fave shepherds pie and you would show up at just the right time. You dear friend were a part of our family as I imagine you were with many many families.  So many memories. camp and Christmas and grey cups on the west coast.  A kinder  gentler man you could not find. I shall miss you very much 

my sympathy to Evan's family.   sorry to here of Evan's death.  we  graduated  in the class of 1969  at the Canadian school of embalming.   over the years we had many joyous times together.  

DearJoan:
I met Evan  in Toronto in the 70's during my funeral service career. We attended Grey Cup games, most notably the1971 game in Vancouver, where as I recall, Evan made the front page of the Toronto Star!!!
When I returned home to Kincardine in 1982, we rented our funeral coach from a funeral home in Chesley. Evan, as you know, did funeral home coverage and when he would bring the coach on funeral day you could not ask for a more professional funeral director.
We reconnected 3 or 4 years ago through a mutual Balmy Beach friend.
We emailed at Christmas and Evan told me he had moved to Midland.
On behalf of my wife Debby and myself, we send our sincerest condolences.

Ken Davey,
Retired Funeral Director, Davey -Linklater Funeral Home, Kincardine 

Evan J. Butchers took me under his wing as apprentice and for 29 years has always been a friend I could count on to give me advice.We always appreciated him dropping into our funeral home unannounced to check in on Monica and I. I had the great honour and privilege to cover his funeral home in Frankford when he was away as a young inexperienced funeral director. You will be missed my friend and thank you for teaching me what it takes to be a funeral director each and every day.

It was while touring the historic Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee during the 2013 Professional Car Society International Meet that I learned the type of man Evan was.
To say Evan was passionate toward his 	Cadillac S&S ambulance would be an understatement. We lagged behind the tour group for a more focused dialogue. He was patient and diligent with me as he shared his wisdom of the car – including its service history, and tips for polishing on show day. More profoundly from that interaction, was Evan’s strength and resolve for living a life of purpose and service. He shared a positive, determined, and focused spirit to overcome life’s adversity – an important life lesson.
I think Evan lit up brighter than the Caddy’s emergency lights when he took the wheel of his ambulance later that weekend – a special memory which will be cherished. Evan will be remembered fondly. Our condolences to Evan’s family and friends.
Sincerely, 
Mac & Mark Gilpin

Many great memories of Evan- From the early days of working with him in Midland; as an instrumental person in helping me in my career to make those early funeral arrangements. To the times we had seeing the Argos play- particularity our two trips to Calgary with the Argonauts on an extended weekend; and for a week trip to a Grey Cup in Edmonton “What a Party”.   Evan, you will be missed by not only me; but many others whose lives you have touched.   “It was a privilege and a pleasure”
Dave Isaac


Evan was a true gentleman in every respect and we were saddened to hear this news.  I had the pleasure of serving on the Toronto District Funeral Directors board with Evan and had many wonderful conversations with him over the years.  He will certainly be missed by those in his many many circles and wide ranging associations.  We will think of him often as we honour the memory of this kind and thoughtful  funeral director who gave so much to our profession.  

Sincerely,  Gord Galbraith and colleagues at Ward Funeral Homes

I first started working with and getting to know Evan when he owned his funeral home in Frankford...we rented his funeral coach. He was always accommodating to our needs and when Evan was down with the coach, he generally had a few good stories to share from his long history in funeral service. We enjoyed his interaction with us over those years. 
Our sympathy to Evan's family.
Sincerely,
Colin Wartman
Wartman Funeral Home, Napanee

Joan, I am so sorry to hear this news. I will always remember Evan as a kind and gentle person who smiled a lot and had a caring heart. I know that this is a massive loss to you. We have you in our thoughts and prayers. When you are ready we will spend some time together. 

To Joan Midland and family and friends of Evan
I was saddened today to learn Evan had passed away.
He made a great contribution to Funeral Service and his community.
He was very supportive of the Ontario Funeral Service Association and the work we did on behalf of Funeral Professionals in Ontario.
May it be of some comfort to know others have you in their thoughts and prayers at this time.
Tom Flood, Past President OFSA


We are so sad to learn of the passing of Evan. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the OFSA Board. Our sincerest condolences to his family. Tony and Jenn de Ryk. 

Genny and I will really miss Evan and it was a true pleasure meeting him at the PCS meets.  He was a true gentleman and we'll miss his Christmas cards. We offer our sincere condolences to his family.

Dear Joan and family,
I wish you my sincere  condolences at this sad time.
I have recently had many enjoyable experiences with Evan and take heart from his undaunted spirit of optimism. He was able to embrace  moments of a physically trying life, it seems, with a willing and generous energy that I found an inspiration. I will remember this in Evan most,  of all his gifts.   

Roslyn Stephenson
(a Malvern friend )



The Motor City Chapter of The Professional Car Society remembers Email as a ever positive, always smiling, major part of the Society.  He was missed at the 2019 Micro Meet and will be missed by many.  Our condolences to his families, related and adopted.

Dear Joan,
Evan and you are so important in the lives of so many. Your generosity of labour and resources and faith at the Calvary Church Christmas dinner is just one example of literally improving  the earthly time  of hundreds of souls. Both Rex and I thank you and send you prayers and comfort.
Rita S. Deverell

Evan: Thank you for sharing your life with me. You were such an inspiration especially during your journey with cancer! 
Thank you for bringing “Santa” to our 4 boys “who is that man in the red suit?”  
Thank you 🙏🥰
I will always smile when I think of you and I hold you close in my ❣️
Your friend Wendy 

I was so very sorry to learn of Evan's passing.  He was a kind, generous person and very loyal to his church, Calvary Baptist, his former school, Malvern Collegiate Institute, his alumni association, the Malvern Red and Black Society, his classmates and his many friends and business associates.  My heartfelt condolences to Evan's family and friends.  He will be sorely missed. 

OBITUARY

Evan John Butchers

January 7, 1941 – March 8, 2019

Giffen-Mack and Trull Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services