Evelyn Mae Evans, 87, of Russell died Monday, March 21, 2016, at Russell Regional Hospital. Evelyn was born Nov. 28, 1928 at Charleston, Ark, the eldest daughter of John R. and Eva (Buckner) Ralston.

Evelyn lived her early years and started elementary school in the Charleston area. Later the family moved to Ottawa, Ill, then settled in Columbus, KS, where her father was senior shovel operator for the Pittsburg/Midway Coal Mining Company.   Evelyn graduated from Columbus High School where she was the schoolbook editor her senior year.  Following graduation, Evelyn was hired as social correspondent and circulation manager for The Modern Light newspaper in Columbus.  At the Modern Light she met Allan D. Evans.  Al and Evelyn were married on Nov. 28, 1946, in the Columbus Christian Church.  Al and Evelyn joined the Townsley family’s Russell newspaper enterprises in July, 1949. Both Al and Evelyn were active in Russell Publishing Company, Inc., and other newspaper and publishing ventures for more than 54 years.
  
Evelyn is survived by two children, David Allan Evans, Russell, and Diana Lynne Maier (Richard), Kechi, KS.  She is survived by six grandchildren:  Danni Eldred (Jon), Colorado Springs, CO; Christi Tenholder (Tim) Topeka; Shawn Evans (Sara) and Scott Evans, Russell; Ariane Vagen (Richard) and Brandon Evans St. Louis, MO; and a step-grandchild Michelle Casey (Spencer) Hays.  Evelyn is survived by 16 great-grandchildren, Chad, Ruby and Katy Eldred; Andrew, Jon and Ryan Tenholder; Alyssa, Cade, Bailey, and Caleigh Evans; Wyatt and Max Evans; and Laura, Haley, Alexis, and Ryan Casey.  Evelyn lost her husband Allan and a grandson, Cael Evans of Russell, in August 2015.   She was great-great-grandmother to Cecelia Eldred of Wichita.
  
Evelyn is also survived by her brother John R. Ralston (Pat) of Poughkeepsie, NY and sister Esther Ralston of Tucson, AZ, and one adopted sister, Edith Addis.  Nephews and nieces are Richard Evans (Betty), Webb City, MO, Mendy and Rick; Jane Ann Turner, and Marilyn Epler (Tom), Charley and Lizzie Ann, Columbus, KS; Donald Bauer (Dr. Beth Bartlet), and Britt, Colby, Christina and Alex, Carthage, MO; Barbara Ralston and Bruce Ralston (Eileen Frering) Kelly, John and Alex, Poughkeepsie, NY.  Another nephew, Fred Evans, of Columbus, preceded her in death. 
  
Celebration of Evelyn’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, March 25, 2016 at the First Congregational Church of Russell with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Thursday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  A memorial has been established with the Russell County Veterans Memorial.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.