July 11, 1926 — Dec. 12, 2015

Evelyn Marie Gay, 89, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Saturday morning, Dec. 12, 2015, in Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis.

She was born July 11, 1926, in Porter Township, Michigan to Clarence and DeVere (O’Dell) Dussel. She married Orville Floyd “Red” Gay March 8, 1947, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He preceded her in death in 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Margaret Knepple; one brother, Lloyd Dussel; and two sons in law, Loren Woodrick and Gerald Ridenour.

Evelyn was a lifelong member of Pleasant View Church of Christ in Cassopolis and was also a past member of Eastern Star. She worked as secretary to the Cass County Prosecutor and worked as assistant director of the Cass County Equalization Department until her retirement.

Evelyn loved her flower garden and her cats. She also enjoyed drawing and painting. She was a self taught pianist and played for church for many years.

Evelyn will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her two daughters, Trudy Ridenour of Cassopolis, Sandra (husband, Sheldon) Hamilton of Crossville, Tennessee; one son, James (wife, Margie) Gay of Kent, Connecticut; her step daughter, Karen (husband, Tom) Hick of Belleville, Illinois; six grandchildren, Michele (husband, Ken) Ramsey of Cassopolis, Denise (husband, Brian) Anders of Niles, Tammy (husband, Jeff) Holpuch of Windsor, Colorado, William Gay of Kent, Connecticut, Sandra (husband, Richard) Blair of Orlando, Florida, Brian Hick of St. Louis, Missouri; six great grandchildren, Joshua Miller, Ashley Ramsey, Dustin Anders, Xander Atwell, Jaiden Holpuch, Eva Hick; and one great great granddaughter, Isabella Miller.

Family and friends will gather Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. in Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Road (corner of M 60), Cassopolis, with the Reverend Larry Settle officiating. Mrs. Gay’s remains will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Orville Gay, in Poe Cemetery in Jones, Michigan.

The family prefers contributions be made in Evelyn’s memory to either the Cass County Medical Care Facility, 23770 Hospital Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, or, Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Road, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.