Donald E. Evans, Sr.

On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Donald E. Evans, Sr. peacefully went home to be with the Lord. He was 89.

Donald was born on January 15, 1936 in Trappe, PA to the late Warren and Anna Evans.

Donald grew up in Spring City, PA and lived there until moving to Slaughter Beach, DE in 1980, making the family tradition of vacationing near the Mispillion Lighthouse a permanent home.

Starting with multiple paper routes to buy sweets for his sisters, to eventually being a jack of all trades, Donald believed in working hard and taking care of others. His motto was, “Any job worth doing is worth doing right the first time”. Throughout his young adult life he held positions in Royersford, PA as the Heat Treat Foreman at Cann & Saul Steel Company, Owner/Operator of an Esso Gas Station, and as maintenance at Pennhurst Hospital before his final position as maintenance at King Cole Cannery in Milton, DE. Donald was forced into early retirement as a result of a series of heart attacks in his late forties but was always on hand to help family and friends with any project needing to be done.

A lifelong volunteer, Donald drove for the Red Cross and was a member of both Liberty Fire Co. in Spring City and Friendship Fire Co. in Royersford, before joining Slaughter Beach Memorial Fire Co. in 1980, where he was a Lifetime Member and awarded Top Responder for many years.

With a strong faith in God, Donald was also a member and volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spring City and then St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Milford, DE.

Donald spent as much time as possible enjoying the Delaware Bay, either from the view out his front windows or taking the family fishing on his boat, the Gen-Don. On Friday nights and Mondays, he could be found bowling on leagues or just for fun. As an avid music lover, you would often hear him before you would see him. Donald loved singing along to the Country and Gospel Greats.

Donald joins in Heaven the love of his life, Genevieve, their infant daughter Mary, and son Michael W. Evans; as well as his brother, Richard Evans, sisters Dolly Yeager and Barbara Evans, and grandson Jamie Garrison.

He is survived by his children Donald Evans, Jr. (fiancée Kathleen Rogers), Joseph Evans, Sr. (Mary Jo), Peter Evans, honorary son, Chris Hayes, and honorary daughters, Anita Bulischeck and Mary Benton, as well as his sister, Elizabeth Walters (Jack), brothers James Evans (Donna) and Frank Evans, sister-in-law Erla Evans, and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who loved him greatly.

Being “Poppop” was one of his favorite roles in life. Donald enjoyed sharing his life stories with and celebrating the lives of his grandchildren Joseph Evans, Jr. (Jayanti), Amanda Fulton (Andy), James Evans (Emily), Theresa Mast (Ryan), Elizabeth Evans, Allen Mullins, Barbie Wilkins (Eric), Rebecca Evans, Michaella Evans, and honorary granddaughter, Elizabeth Hayes (fiancé Justin); great-grandchildren Noelle Zimdahl (Brian), Molly Fulton (Grayson), Andrew Fulton, Zoe Mast (Robbie), Matthew Evans, Nathaniel Garrison, Aaron Fulton, Daniel Fulton (né Laura Fulton), Avery Richard, Ezekiel Mast, Bennett Long, Teresa Evans, Liliana Dorman, and Bentley Dorman; and great-great-grandchildren Arabelle Zimdahl, Ella-Grace Zimdahl, and Lily Zimdahl.

The family will receive visitors at Rogers Hovatter Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Avenue, Milford from 10AM to 12PM on Thursday, March 20th.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Apostle Church, 506 Seabury Avenue, Milford at 1PM on Thursday, March 20th.

Burial will be at Milford Community Cemetery – Old Section on Walnut Street, with a Celebration of Life immediately following at Memorial Fire Company, 359 Bay Avenue, Milford (Slaughter Beach). All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of DE Hospice for their support and heartfelt care during Donald’s last weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald’s honor to the Slaughter Beach Memorial Fire Company.