Obituary
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Jan
29
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home
60 West Martin Street, East Palestine, OH 44413
Send FlowersJan
30
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home
60 West Martin Street, East Palestine, OH 44413
Send FlowersServices provided by
Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home - East PalestineOnly 4 days left for delivery to next service.
East Palestine - Thomas "Tom" Evans, age 75, of East Palestine, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Covington Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, East Palestine after a long illness.
He was born on September 29, 1950, in Ellwood City, PA, son of the late Theodore and Geraldine Young Evans.
Tom was a 1968 graduate of East Palestine High School and served in the National Guard for 6 years.
Tom worked at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel for 33 years as the superintendent of operations of the caster. Prior to that he worked for 10 years at Youngstown Sheet and Tube Steel as a crane operator.
As the superintendent he was a leader to many of his workers. He gained their respect by his actions to work alongside them and not above them.
Tom enjoyed playing golf with his friends, traveling and riding his Harley with Melody. Although he had many interests, spending time with his family was the most important aspect of his life.
He had many talents; he built his own home for his family from the ground up in 1978. If something needed fixed, he would figure it out. He was always there for his friends, family and neighbors to offer a helping hand.
Tom was a quiet man, respectful to everyone he met and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Even in his final weeks he maintained his kind demeanor.
His family would like to thank the staff at Covington as well as Harmony Hospice for their wonderful care of Tom and the family.
Tom is survived by his wife, Melody Keating Evans, whom he married on April 22, 1972; daughter, Jill (John) Jurjavcic of East Palestine; son, Troy (Carly) Evans of East Palestine; four grandchildren, Rylie and Owen Jurjavcic and Claire and Ainsley Evans; two sisters, Sandy Wales of East Palestine and Patty (Denny) Sugar of East Palestine; brother, Theodore (Donna) Evans of Salem; sister in law, Bonnie Evans of East Palestine and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Timothy Evans and brother-in-law, Larry Wales.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine, with Pastor Cindy Figley officiating.
Burial will take place at Glenview Cemetery, East Palestine.
Memorial donations may be made to East Palestine Social Concerns.
Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
60 West Martin Street, East Palestine, OH 44413

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Read moreJan
29
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home
60 West Martin Street, East Palestine, OH 44413
Send FlowersJan
30
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home
60 West Martin Street, East Palestine, OH 44413
Send FlowersServices provided by
Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home - East PalestineOnly 4 days left for delivery to next service.