John A. Evancevich

John A. Evancevich, 79, of Babbitt passed away Monday, March 10, 2008 at the Virginia Regional Medical Center. He was born on April 12, 1928 to John and Ann Evancevich in Hibbing. John grew up in Carson Lake and attended Hibbing Schools until he lied about his age to join the U.S. Navy were he served for 11 years. John was an underwater welder for World War II as well as the Korean War. During World War II John served on the CVE-116 US Badoeng Strait. On June 28, 1952 he married Mary Keinath in St. Ann's Catholic Church in Kelly Lake. John worked for Zeigler as a welder in Hibbing. In 1954 the couple moved to Babbitt and John went to work for Reserve Mining Company as a welder. Later he became a conductor on their Railroad and retired after 34 years. John was very active in the Union and was the head of the grievance committee. He was the first constable in Babbitt and served on the Babbitt Police Department for four years while he worked at the mine. John was on the Babbitt City Council, a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose of Ely, a member of the VFW Post 1539 and the Maki-Pinola American Legion Post 0535, a lifelong member of the Disable American Veterans, a charter member of the Babbitt Blue Line and a hockey coach and also very active in his children's other sports including baseball and football, and a faithful member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church. He was a professional B-B-Q caterer, cooking for different political and local events. He was well known for his BBQ-ed lamb as well as pork, turkey and beef. John played the accordion and loved polka music. Fishing, hunting and camping were his passions. He loved to camp on August Lake and spend time with his children and grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents and a son, John Michael Evancevich. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary; and son, Chuck (Brenda) both of Babbitt; six grandchildren, Nicole Dalton of Tennessee, Cassie, Carly, and Brandon of Babbitt, Derek of Minneapolis and Amanda Revord of Babbitt, two sisters, Mary (Chester) Brady of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Gloria Zaitz of Hibbing; many nieces and nephews. VISITATION:10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008 until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Father James Scheuer and Deacon Greg Hutar will officiate. Military Honors by the Babbitt Honor Guard. Burial will be at the Argo Cemetery. Family services by Kerntz Brothers, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Ely. To share a personal remembrance of John online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Duluth News Tribune.