John Evans Obituary
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John Reaves Evans, 89, of Carterville, passed away on July 27, 2025.
John was born on July 28, 1935, to Andrew Reaves and Nellie Mae Evans in Springfield, Illinois.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-nine years, Babs; children, Lori (Lance), John (Jose), Mike (Crystal), Mark (Bonnie) and Mary (Tim); grandchildren, Adam, Briana, Carly, Alex, Jacob Jesse, and Emily; great grandchildren, Dakota, Rhett, Harper, Ivy, Harvey, Oakley, and Nora; sisters, Elaine and Lynette.
John had a lifelong career as an educator beginning as a classroom teacher and culminating as a professor and Associate Dean within the College of Education, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
John was a founding member of the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, Carterville, Illinois. He was a member of the Parish Council and the Knights of Columbus. John was also active in his community as a member of both the Carterville School District and Anne West Lindsey District Library boards.
John enjoyed traveling, whether it be to Italy or to walk the beach at Sanibel Island.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Reflections Memory Care and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their kindness and compassion.
A funeral mass will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville is in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit rigginpillatschburkefh.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Reaves Evans, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Rich Davis
August 1, 2025
I am saddened to read of John´s passing. He was a dear friend and neighbor. He and Babs were such kind members of Holy Spirit Catholic church. In more recent times, I always waved to John as he walked his little dog around Cannon Park. My condolences and sympathies to John´s family. May he rest in peace.
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Ed & Sandy McNamara
August 1, 2025
John has always held a special place in our hearts. When I lost my job in 1986, with a wife and 2 small children at home, John called me and asked if I´d considered going back to school for a Masters Degree. When I told him that I couldn´t afford it he offered me an assistantship, contingent upon my acceptance at SIU. That made all the difference in my life, and that of my family, since then. I called John from my home in PA on Thanksgiving day, a number of years ago, to share these same thoughts with John and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Babs and all of John´s family and friends at this difficult time.
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322 N Division St, Carterville, IL 62918
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