Evadean V. Gordon, 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 24, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, Kansas, with her loving children, Bruce Gordon and Susan Gordon Ward, at her bedside. She lived most of her adult life in Evansville, Indiana, and moved to Ascension Via Christi Village in 2018.
Evadean was born March 6, 1927, in Owensville, Indiana, to Floyd and Helen (Sharp) Vaught. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Owensville High School and then Purdue University in 1948 with a double major in Home Economics and Chemistry.
She married James M. Gordon in 1948, and they shared a long and loving marriage for 53 years. Jim preceded her in death in 2001. They had two children, Bruce A. Gordon and Susan J. Gordon Ward.
Evadean taught for two years in Wadesville, Indiana, and later substituted for several years in Evansville, Indiana. She was a loving mother and wife, and family historian. A woman of many interests and talents, her passion was sharing her faith as a member of 12th Avenue/Westwood General Baptist Church, where she was actively involved as pianist for approximately 15 years, Director of Vacation Bible School, Sunday School Teacher, outreach advocate for USI students, Mt. Auburn Neighborhood association and member of many committees. Evadean was an active member of the Evansville Home Economics Club, the Four-States Doll Club, and a proud member of the Eastern Star for 75 years. As a family historian, she preserved family fashions worn for over a century, which are now preserved in the University of Southern Indiana library archives.
Evadean is survived by her children, Susan Ward and her husband, Don, of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Bruce Gordon and his wife, Sally, of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren Christopher Ward (Jessica), Jennifer Ward Glenn (Jereme), Matthew Gordon (Katie), Kaitlin Gordon, and William Gordon (Tori Houk, fiancé); and nine great-grandchildren: Anna and Ben Ward, Baron Zanetto, and John, Jake, Josh, and Julie Glenn, Tripp and Bodhi Gordon, and Ivy Kennedy. Evadean is also survived by her sister, Diane Smith, of Owensville, Indiana.
A heartfelt thank you to those who provided for Evadean's care: Solarbron, Via Christi Village, and Dr. Jacqueline Orender.
Visitation will take place on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Alexander-West Funeral Home, 2100 West Illinois Street, Evansville, Indiana, from 4 to 7 p.m. with 3 to 4 p.m. for family only. The funeral will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at the Westwood General Baptist Church at 121 South Boehne Camp Road in Evansville, Indiana, at 10 a.m. The burial will take place at the Owensville, Indiana, Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to Westwood General Baptist Church or to the James M. Gordon Scholarship fund at Oakland City College. Memorials may be left at or mailed to the Alexander-West Mortuary, 2100 West Illinois Street, Evansville, Indiana, 47712.
