Robert Michael Evans

Robert "Mike" Evans, 74, of Evansville, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Heritage Center, leaving behind a legacy as colorful and unforgettable as the stories he loved to tell. Born January 23, 1951, in Evansville to the late Bettye J. (McGowan) and Robert J. Evans, Mike lived every day with a spark that drew people in-and then kept them laughing long after the punchline.

Mike graduated from Memorial High School in 1969 and went on to work for Central Glass before boldly carving his own path as the owner and operator of Evansville Glass and Glazing. Later, he brought that same energy to his career through to retirement at Indiana Wholesale Wine and Spirits. He was a lifelong member of St. Benedict Cathedral, but his true cathedral might have been anywhere friends gathered around a table, ready for one of his famously exaggerated yarns.

Mike loved many things-some of them perhaps too much. He loved the Miami Dolphins with an almost stubborn loyalty (especially #12, Bob Griese). He loved bourbon and scotch with equal devotion. He loved music both vocally and instrumentally, whether he was strumming his guitar or belting out a tune that may or may not have been in the right key. He loved veterans, active service members, and this great country with deep respect and gratitude. He loved golf, whether playing a round, watching it on TV, or even at the Masters in person once or twice. He loved NCIS marathons, Saturday breakfast club with friends, and Saturday afternoons with his brother Bill, swapping tales that got taller as the years went on.

But above all, Mike loved his family-even if he'd shake his head and insist they were driving him crazy most of the time. The love he had for his grandchildren was like no other, and they adored "Grandpa, G-pa' or simply "Pa" just as fiercely. He had big plans for us all to go to Fiji when he "got better," and we like to think he's already saving us seats with a drink in hand.

Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cindy (Griese) Evans; his son, Fred Evans; daughters, Emily (Adam) Schmitt and Allyson (Scott) Atherton; grandchildren, Lunden Evans, Maxwell Evans, Oliver Schmitt, Henry Schmitt, and Elouise Atherton; sisters, Pattye (Jim) Levell and Mary (Dennis) Merrill; brother, David (Rosanna) Evans; sisters-in-law, Carol Evans and Joan Evans; and more nieces, nephews, and friends than you could fit around any table.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his brothers, Jim Evans and Bill Evans-surely greeting him now with a deck of cards, a guitar, and an open bar.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2025 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025 at St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Ave., Evansville. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Evansville Wartime Museum, 7503 Petersburg Rd., Evansville, IN 47725.