Submitted by: Dan Rich

Lillian Elizabeth Evans

March 23, 1918 - April 4, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Lillian Elizabeth Evans, 90, died with her loving family by her side on Friday, April 4, 2008 in her home on McKinley Avenue where she resided for 57 years. Lillian (Lil) was born on March 23, 1918 in Philadelphia County, PA to John Jacob and Helen (Carson) Ploucher.

On October 20, 1945 she married Edward J. Evans of South Bend, IN who preceded her in death on July 12, 1968. Lil was raised in Philadelphia during the Great Depression was the second child in a family of five children which included her siblings which included Albert, Richard, Helen, and Dorothy. In her youth, Lil was very athletic and participated in many sports. She also enjoyed being a Girl Scout and a camp counselor for The Northeast Frankford Baptist Church. Lil was an excellent student and her academic prowess earned her a scholarship to Philadelphia Normal Teachers College. She completed her education at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. After working for several years, Lil enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 23, 1943 during WW II. She held the rank of First Sergeant and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. There she met her future husband; they married in Philadelphia on October 20, 1945 and moved to his hometown of South Bend, IN. Lil was honorably discharged from the service on October 5, 1945. This experience led her to be referred to as "Sergeant Lil" for her strong sense of duty and no-nonsense personality. Lil and Ed spent many summers at their vacation home on Birch Lake. She especially enjoyed when her niece, Kathy, would come to visit. She and Ed also enjoyed boating and were members of the Gary Boat Club until Ed's death in 1968. She was also a proud member of the St. Joseph Valley Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Lil enjoyed poetry, reading, going to the movies, and taking care of her dogs as well. One of Lil's favorite activities was playing golf and she continued to play late into her 70's with her lady friends in South Bend. In 1981, Lil's widowed sister Dotty came to live with her with two of her eight children in tow. Lil took great pride and pleasure in the challenges and responsibilities of helping the Vittori family over the years. Dotty continued to be a constant companion to Lil through her final days. Lil proudly served as a social worker for the St. Joseph County Department of Public Welfare for 41 1/2 years, officially retiring on December 18, 1987. Because she was unable to bear children of her own, she was grateful to help many children through her tireless work as a social worker. In recent years, Lil has courageously survived the effects of multiple strokes. She would light up a room with her good nature and smile. Playing games with her great-nieces and nephews was one of her favorite activities, and she was considered a Kerplunk champ. She enjoyed taking walks, watching Lawrence Welk and The Gaithers Gospel Hour on PBS, listening to music and books on tape, receiving flowers, and visiting with family. Lil was a generous, kind, and loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend and was a beautiful example of a life well-lived. For many years now, Lil has been faithfully and lovingly cared for by her niece, Ellen Vittori. Left to cherish Lil's memory are her sisters: Helen Webster of Langhorne, PA and Dorothy Vittori, residing in South Bend, IN. She will also be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews: Kathy Webster of Langhorne, PA; Lisa Vittori of San Francisco, CA; Dede (Jeff Baker) Vittori of Newton, MA; Frances Payne of Thorofare, NJ; Frank Vittori of Los Angeles, CA; Angel (David) Konkey and Ellen Vittori of South Bend, IN; John (Angela) Vittori of Indianapolis, IN; and George (Julie) Vittori of Evansville, IN.

Visitation for Lillian E. Evans will be held from 1 to 4 pm on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the McGann Hay Funeral Homes, University Chapel, at 2313 E. Edison Rd., South Bend. The funeral will take place at 10am at the funeral home and burial will take place immediately after at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park.