Judge Richard I. Evans

WEST LAFAYETTE – Judge Richard I. Evans, age _­71, of West Lafayette, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2018.

Richard was born in Coshocton on October 17, 1946 to the late Robert and Dorothy (Selders) Evans. After high school, he obtained a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1971 and went on to serve Coshocton County in the Common Pleas Court for 33 years before he retired. Before election to the Court of Common Pleas, Richard served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve, honorably discharged as a Captain in 1978.

He also worked as Counsel for the Ohio Secretary of State and Ohio Elections Commission, City Attorney for the City of Coshocton, former assistant prosecuting Attorney for Coshocton County, and Probate and Juvenile Judge. Richard was proud to be one of the youngest attorneys elected to the Court of Common Pleas and to have held that office in Coshocton County longer than any other judge.

In 1981, he married Wenda Jill Collins, who survives. Richard was a member of the United Methodist Church of West Lafayette and the Coshocton County Farm Bureau. He was a longtime member of the Ohio Common Pleas Judges Association and, when President of the group, arranged to host its annual meeting in Coshocton. He received the Golden Gavel award from the judges’ association and was inducted, with his father, into the Ridgewood Hall of Fame. He enjoyed model trains, farming, and the performing arts at his alma mater, Ridgewood High School. He was also a devoted OSU football fan and an enthusiastic supporter of the Cardinal Chorale.

Along with his wife, Richard is survived by one son, Rob, and wife, Kelly Gaier Evans, three daughters: Haley, McKayla, and Meredith Evans; one brother, David Evans (Bonnie Stoufer); two sisters-in-law: Cathy Evans and Erin Butler; six nieces and nephews: Mike (Lorrie) Evans, Christy (Dave) Evans, Amy Evans, Jeremey (Krissy) Rine, Evie Rine, and Brandon (Natalie) Rine; one brother-in-law, Tarney (Kelli) Rine. He is preceded in death by sister-in-law Holly Rine.

The family wishes to thank friends George Darr, Chuck and Marcia Hothem, John and Christy Mosier, Tim and Nancy Jackson, John and Nancy Porteus, Bob “Walter” Sycks, the Locke family, and many others for their support.

Per the family’s wishes, a cremation will take place and a Celebration of Life service will be held at the Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2018. The family will be available for 30 minutes before the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ridgewood Local Schools C/O Ridgewood Drama Department at 602 Johnson St. West Lafayette, OH 43845 or to The Cardinal Chorale at P.O Box 27, Coshocton, OH 43812.

An online memorial can be viewed at www.given-dawson-paisleyfh.com.

Category: Obituaries