Evelyn M. Paris

JERSEYVILLE - Evelyn Marie Paris, 81, died at 6:50 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2016 at her residence under the care of her loving family.friends and Blessing Hospice.

She was born in rural Edwardsville on April 14, 1935, one of three children born to Milton and Wilma (Pape) Knoche.

Evelyn graduated from Edwardsville High School, and completed her nurses training at St. Joseph's Nursing School in Alton. In her early years she worked at Alton Memorial Hospital, and spent many years at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville retiring in 1980.

Evelyn's life can be summed up in one word- giving.

She was constantly doing for others whether is was during her work day or her free time. She never turned her back on anyone that was in need, and was a reliable friend to anyone that was blessed to have known her. A lady that never slowed down, Evelyn was always on the go, and was blessed to be able to enjoy her love of travel both home and abroad. She never turned down an opportunity to attend her grandchildrens events, or an opportunity to spend the evening out with friends, and treated herself to a Bloody Mary, now and then, while she cheered on her beloved St. Louis Cardinals.

She adored her grandchildren and they recently blessed her with two new great-granddaughters.

Evelyn was also a gifted musician, and shared her love of music, playing the piano with Dino, and singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as well as the Sweet Adelines. Wherever, Evelyn was attending church at the time, she always volunteered her talents on the piano, and would often substitute at various churches in the area when needed.

She was formerly married to Harold "Andy" McIver, and they were blessed with two children. She later married Paul Paris, and they made their home in Rosewood Heights for many years prior to his death in 1994. After spending many years in their home after his death, Evelyn moved back to Jerseyville in 2013 to be closer to her family.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, David and Cindy McIver of Jerseyville; a daughter, Kathy McIver of Jerseyville; two grandchildren and their spouses, Justin and Whitney McIver and Katie and Johnny Schnettgoecke all of Jerseyville; and her two great-granddaughters, Cecily McIver and Vivienne Schnettgoecke; two stepdaughters, Jeri Noel of Wood River and Terri Hoorman of Bethalto; four step grandchildren, Brandy Carter, Buddy Noel, Cassandra Shaw, and Mikaya Hoorman; seven step great-grandchildren, Brenden, Kayden, Lawson Noel, Jada Shaw, Mason Shaw, Josh Noel, and Skyler Carter; along with three brothers and sisters-in-law, Tim and Libby McIver of Florida, Mary Poland of Osage Beach, Missouri, Charlotte and Roland Lange of Utah; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son in law, Jimmy Wayne Fowler; a sister and brother-in-law, Eunice and Vernon Knoche; and a brother, Eldon Knoche; and a brother-in-law, Ronald Poland.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m., Monday, May 2, at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 3, at the First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville, with Rev. Dennis Hill officiating.

Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

Memorials may be given to the Evelyn Paris Educational Fund, and will be used to assist a deserving student choosing to enter the nursing profession, and can be made through the funeral home.