Michael “Mike” Evankovich
Michael “Mike” Evankovich, 98, of Bradys Bend, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in the comfort of his home.
Mike was born Nov. 8, 1922, in Redbank Township, Clarion County. He was the son of the late John W. and Jennie Vinka Trinastic Evankovich.
He was a 1941 graduate of Fairview Township/Karns City High School.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Mike served from Jan. 27, 1943, to Jan. 1, 1946. He had an 18-month in-states assignment, and an 18-month deployment in Europe, with the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He attained the rank of sergeant and was the head driver of a M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer, seeing combat in Wales, Scotland, England, France, Germany and Belgium.
Mike worked at Armco for a year before becoming a miner. He worked for eight years with the Pittsburgh Limestone Co. before moving to National Underground Storage (Iron Mountain) in Boyers, where he worked from 1955 until 1988. Starting out as a security guard, Mike worked his way up to mine foreman. He retired in January 1988, but because of his knowledge and mine expertise, he continued to be employed as a consultant for the next 18 years.
He was a longtime member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and was the head of the cemetery maintenance committee, a position he was most proud of. He was also a member of the Young at Heart and the Bradys Bend American Legion Post 488.
Mike enjoyed gardening, hunting, Westerns and watching baseball. He loved spending time with his family, and his nephews had a special place in his heart. He was a man who loved to work. He never hesitated to take on any challenge, and helped anyone in need.
He is survived by his daughters, Mary Irene Gaiser and her husband, James, of Bradys Bend, and Grace Henry and her husband, Dr. Larry, of Butler; his five grandchildren, Jennifer Gaiser, Jarrod Gaiser, Beth Ann Jackson and her husband, Joseph, Kristen Henry and Christopher Henry; his three great-grandchildren, Harlow Gaiser, Joseph Jackson and Grace Jackson; and one sister, Phyllis Bayes and her husband, Rick, of Weaver, Ala.
Mike is also survived by two stepchildren, Mike Shumaker and his wife, Diana, of Karns City, and Kenneth Shumaker and his wife, Molly, of Florida; three stepgrandchildren, Amy (John) Fierst, Christopher Shumaker and Clarissa Shumaker; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Lilliana and Alaina Fierst; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary DiGiammarino Evankovich, who died Dec. 22, 1982; his second wife, Marie Shumaker Evankovich, who died April 7, 2016; his four sisters, Mary Anderson, Margaret Pollock, Edna Zidek and Col. Irene Evankovich; one brother, John Evankovich; as well as a number of brothers-in- law and a sister-in-law.
EVANKOVICH— Friends of Michael “Mike” Evankovich, who died Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Buechele Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 707 Kellys Way, East Brady.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Bradys Bend, with the Rev. Victor Baguna officiating.Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.A mask or appropriate facial covering is required to attend all services. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.The Evankovich family suggests that memorials be made in Mike's name to St. Mary's Cemetery, 915 State Route 68, East Brady, PA 16028.To view or express condolences, please visit www.buechelefuneralhome.com.
