Evelyn M. Bair

Evelyn M. Bair, 95, entered the church triumphant on June 14, 2023 after a brief illness. She was born March 6, 1928 in Canton, Ohio, the daughter of A.R."Russ" and Vera Coates (Nouse). She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1946 and attended Kent State University. Evelyn was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved her husband of 55 years, her children, grandchildren and their families fully and unconditionally. She was a longtime and faithful member of Bethel Lutheran Church where she worked as church secretary for 25 years, and most recently a member of St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church. Many remember her commitment to serving God through the various positions she held in the church and the unselfish ways in which she served, including knitting over 1,000 prayer squares from her recliner until a couple months before her death. She lived with her family on 11th Street in Canton for 51 years where many wonderful memories were made and lifelong friendships were forged. Her love of Pepsi, butter pecan ice cream, Indians baseball, Buckeye football, game shows, and crosswords as well as her ability to remember details and dates better than those half her age will never be forgotten. She was tough but tender, witty and wise, stubborn but understanding, strong and resilient beyond belief. She was a true force who left a mark on everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard Bair; son Scott Bair; grand daughter Tiffany Bair; and brothers Adrian "Bud" Coates, Ken Coates, and Don Coates. She is survived by her children Sue (Eric) Wottle of New Philadelphia, Shawn (Julieanne) Bair of North Lawrence, Steve (Minh) Bair of Yigo, Guam, Sheri (Lito) Belardo of Jackson Township, and daughter-in-law Pam Bair of Stilwell, OK; 13 grandchildren, Scott (Amy) Bair, Kymberly (Chris) Bair, Samantha (Enoch) Wright, Brian Wottle, Michael Wottle, Travis (Jen)Johnson, Mason Bair, Morgan Bair, Caitlin Bair, Kiersten (Tylar) Orlowski, Matt Belardo, Alex Belardo, Jack Belardo; seven great-grandchildren, Lara Taylor (Jeffrey) McFadden, Trenton Coffman, Silas Gibson and Aidan, Atlas, Aurora, and Athena Wright; brother Glenn Coates, sisters-in-law Doris Coates, Jane Packa, Marilou Emerson; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service 11:00 AM Saturday June 24, 2023 at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church 4600 Fulton Drive NW Canton, OH 44718 Rev. Dr. Bruce Roth officiating. Visitation Friday, June 23rd 4:00 PM-7:00 PM at Reed Funeral Home (Canton Chapel) 705 Raff Road SW Canton, OH 44710 and Saturday 10:00 AM to 11:00 at St. Stephen Martyr. Burial Monday June 26 12:15 PM at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. If desired, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church Youth. To share a memory please visit www.reedfuneralhome.com.