CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Evans Harold "E.H." Ryan, 102, of Chaffee passed from this life Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at Auburn Creek in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 30, 1917, in Harrisburg, Arkansas, son of William Sherman and Cleo Esther Evans Ryan.

He and Wanda Jones were married Feb. 4, 1940.

Evans was an engineer on the Frisco Railroad for 37 years. During those years, he was proud of his service as the local chairman of his union, the United Transportation Union.

Evans was a lifelong member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee.

He is survived, admired, loved and missed by daughter, Carol Cannon; daughter-in-law, Judy Ryan; granddaughters, Karen Cannon Brown, Kathi Cannon (Tim) Stone, Lynn Ryan and Kas Ryan; grandson, Chris (Pam) Cannon; grandson-in-law, Ron Shelton; great-granddaughters, Andrea Ryan (Tommy) Crawford, Kori Brown (Travis) Skidmore, Kari Stone, Caitlin Cannon (Jake) Hayward, Madison Cannon, Mackenzie Cannon, Linsday Tivoli, Brittany Ryan and Amanda Ryan; great-grandsons, Ryan (Jessica) Shelton, Reid (Jenella) Shelton, Alex Stone and Michael (Ashley) Ryan; great-great-granddaughter, Everly Shelton; and great-great-grandsons, Gage Skidmore, Miles Hayward, Merrick Hayward and Rip Shelton.

Evans Ryan

In addition to wife, Wanda Ryan, he was preceded in death by his parents; sons, John and Bob Ryan; sister, Rae Davidson; brothers, James, Hugh, William and Edwin Ryan; granddaughter, Stacy Ryan; grandson, Randall Ryan; great-great-grandson, Noah Cook; and two lifelong friends, Bud Slaughter and Vopel Watkins.

Evans had a kind and loving spirit with a wonderful sense of humor. He was grateful for all the blessings he received in life and never took his relationships for granted. He maintained a positive attitude toward life, regardless of his circumstances, and never lost that positive attitude or sense of humor even to the last day of his life. He had a warm and generous heart, always taking care of those he cared about. He was hard-working and honest in all his endeavors

Evans' loves were Wanda -- the greatest "catch" of his life -- fishing, traveling, camping and hunting. Hawaii, Alaska and the Bahamas were some of their favorite travel destinations. Throughout their 71 years of marriage, he and Wanda spent 32 winters as "snowbirds" in Avon Park, Florida, where they made many lifelong friends. Evans loved God and his family and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

For the last year of his life, Evans lived at Auburn Creek Assisted Living in Cape Girardeau, where he received excellent care. The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to their staff and to the staff at Crown Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church of Chaffee, with the Rev. Randolph G. Tochtrop officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may be made to the St. Ambrose Catholic Church of Chaffee.

Online condolence may be sent at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.