Evan Castetter

Evan Castetter was a hard working, devoted family man. A talented musician in his earlier years, he enjoyed a comfortable family life growing up on the eastern side of Michigan. Learning came easy for Evan, a skill he used his whole life through. An important part of his life was spent in the company of friends, and with family by his side. Although economic times created hardship for Evan and his family during the last several years, together they got by. And with little time since the discovery of his cancer, Evan and his family together made the most of his remaining days with the help of good friends. He will be lovingly missed and fondly remembered. The post-war economy following World War II was an incredible time in America. Consumer goods such as automobiles, televisions and household appliances and furniture were in demand as the baby boom was officially launched. Families moved to tree lined suburbs as jobs brought forth hope and prosperity. May 25, 1949 was an especially prosperous time for Roy Castetter and his wife Audrey (Padbury) of Detroit, Michigan as they welcomed their firstborn son, Evan Charles. Evans father was a local attorney while his mother was a teacher by trade. Once Evan was born, she mainly was a homemaker and looked after Evan and his younger sister Amy. Evan and his family eventually moved to the Lansing area of Michigan where Evan spent most of his early childhood years. While still young they moved to Trenton, Michigan, just south of Detroit. It was here that Evan enjoyed attending school where he played the cello for a time. His talent also included learning to play the piano, and he became quite good at it. In fact, he even mastered Gershwins, Rhapsody in Blue, a very difficult arrangement. As a family they attended St. Thomas Episcopal Church where Evan served as an acolyte, assisting with church services. The family also spent enjoyable times together on several family vacations. They traveled to Minnesota, took trips to the East Coast and spent time in Florida as well. During high school Evan enjoyed much. He played on the Varsity tennis team and excelled in his studies. Learning came naturally to Evan, and he never had to work hard for his grades. He went on to graduate with distinction as third in his class from Trenton High School. When Evan began attending Duke University, he joined the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. Although he made many lifelong friends, the years of the late 60s ushered in the American rock culture. Events like Woodstock along with anti-war demonstrations were taking place at college and university campuses across the nation. With his social life in full bloom, Evans grades suffered. He eventually returned to Michigan and began attending Michigan State University. While in college he worked various jobs to meet his expenses. He spent time at a few manufacturing jobs and as a bell hop at the Dearborn Inn. He later went on to graduate with a BA degree in Economics from Michigan State. With his degree in hand, Evan took a job with the Kemper Insurance Company in Cincinnati, Ohio as a claims adjustor. In the late 70s he moved to Johnson, Rhode Island when he was hired by the Allendale Insurance Company. This move would prove to have a lasting impact on Evan. While working at Allendale Insurance he met a young woman named Patricia Mack who also worked there. The two hit it off and began dating. During this time Evan took a break from work and the life he had built in Rhode Island when the opportunity to bike ride across Europe with a friend came along. After three months apart, Evan returned home where he and Pat picked up where they left off. Before long the couple realized they were deeply in love and exchanged marriage vows in their apartment on December 27, 1980 in front of their Christmas tree. Although fussing with his tie caused Evan to be late for the ceremony, the two happily began their life together. To be closer to his parents, Evan and Pat moved to Muskegon, Michigan when Evan took a job with Met Life as a salesman. Eventually blessed with the birth of their son Dana in 1984 followed by their daughter Rachels birth in 1990, they made their home on Jefferson Street. Settling into a house on Fleming Street, they remained there for over 25 years. Evans job with Met Life didnt last long, but never one to shy away from work, he took on various jobs over the years to support his family. He drove an Eckrich Meat truck for a time, and worked with a land surveyor. He found work with Wal-Mart before becoming a custodian at Waypoint Academy while Pat worked in food service for Muskegon Public Schools. The family took enjoyable vacations at a cabin on Houghton Lake, and made many trips back to Rhode Island to visit Pats family. For many years, Evan was a member of the Northern Michigan Bridge League with many of his fraternity brothers. They gathered several times a year for day long tournaments and enjoyed reminiscing about old times. In his free time, Evan enjoyed golf and bowling. His true talent came in the form of working crossword puzzles. Pat always said he was so talented with word games he could have won lots of money on the TV show Jeopardy. Several years ago Evans father began living with Evan and his family. When Evan got laid off from his job at Waypoint Academy 18 months ago, it was hard for the family but they got by. While enjoying this past Christmas holiday, Evan became quite ill. It was soon discovered that he had cancer. Fast spreading, there was little the doctors could do. Evan could rest in the company of his loving family and wonderful friends who came by to visit him over the last several weeks. Sadly, at the age of 60, Evan Charles Castetter died on Saturday, January 16, 2010 surrounded by his family and friends. Evan is survived by his wife, Patricia; son, Dana Castetter; daughter, Rachel Castetter; grandson, Marrion Castetter and his father, Roy Castetter, all of Muskegon; his sister, Amy (Jim) Markum of Oregon and many special friends. A Memorial Gathering to celebrate Evans life will take place on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home with a time of sharing at 6:00 PM. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign his online guest book.