Twelfth Generation

764. Vernon Avery "Whitey" EVANS (`) (~) was born on 14 January 1932 in Monroe County, WI.^215,664 He died on 6 December 2013 at the age of 81 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁶⁴

Obituary Notes: "Vernon Avery "Whitie" Evans, 81, passed away Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Whitie was born in the heart of the depression on January 14, 1932 at home in Cutler to Van and Vila Evans (nee Heser). He grew up in and around Tomah and graduated from Tomah High School in 1950.

It was during high school that Whitie found his love of boxing and he became a Golden Glove boxer. His nickname during that time was “One Punch Whitie” and he remained undefeated during his high school years. He joined the US Army National Guard as a mechanic serving from 1949-1965 and saw active duty with the Wisconsin 32nd Division in 1961 and 1962.

Most people will remember Whitie as being the owner of The Sportsman’s Bar in Tomah where he spent 32 years making lifetime friends. He was an expert at making each customer feel like they were the most important customer he had. He was always there with a smiling face and a good joke. He had been active in the Monroe County Tavern League and was a long time member of The Lions Club and lifetime member of The American Legion. He retired from the Sportsman’s Bar at the end of 1995 and spent the last few years of his life between Tomah and Tucson, Arizona.

Whitie was married several times and often took some grief for this. His wives were the former Shirley Shuckhart, Donna Faye Kelley, Theoda “Tody” Schaitel and Charmaine “Char” Spencer. He found his lifelong companion in Linda Warner and spent the last 24 years of his life with her.

Whitie had a love of hunting, fishing and shooting pool and he passed that passion on to his son Greg. He enjoyed country music, camping and spending time with his family. He was instrumental in organizing the annual Evans Family Reunion for the past 25 years at Fort McCoy.

Whitie is survived by his son Greg (Donna) of Tomah; daughters Kelley Stiles (John) of Shorewood, IL and Lisa Lee of Charleston, SC; grandchildren Nick Evans (Tiffany Pierce), Jenna Evans (Oakley Moser), Kane Stiles, Rhiannon Stiles, Landon Stiles, Dustin Studinski, and Kyle Studinski; his brother Vic (Marlea), sister-in-law Pauline Evans, his significant other Linda Warner and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Whitie was like a father to Linda’s children, Vicky Warner and Jeff and Mike Rex and a beloved Grandpa and Great Grandpa to their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Van and Vila, brothers Valdon, Vance and Verland, sister Vergean; his first wife Shirley and their infant daughter; his sister-in-law Beverly and nephews Mike and Tony Evans.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 11:00 A.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau, Tomah. Monsignor Richard Gilles will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, in the Town of Tomah."

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Vernon Avery "Whitey" EVANS (`) (~) and Shirley SHUCKART were married.⁶⁶⁴ Shirley SHUCKART was born (date unknown).

Vernon Avery "Whitey" EVANS (`) (~) and Shirley SHUCKART had the following children:

Vernon Avery "Whitey" EVANS (`) (~) and Donna Faye KELLEY were married about 1954 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^664,665 Donna Faye KELLEY, daughter of Frederick William KELLEY and Pearl FISHER, was born on 29 August 1936 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁶⁵ She died on 7 February 2024 at the age of 87 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁶⁵ Obituary Notes: "Donna Faye Kelley, 87, passed away peacefully blanketed with love and surrounded by her family on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024, at Liberty Village in Tomah, WI.

Donna was born in Tomah, WI on Saturday, August 29, 1936, to Frederick “Fritz” and Pearl (Fisher) Kelley. She was welcomed home by her 10-month older brother, Donnie and was so small they held her in a shoe box. In grade school, her parents split up and Donna Faye spent the rest of her childhood living with her Fisher grandparents on the farm in Wyeville and finally her father and new stepmother Helen (Kenyon) Kelley who became her best friend and gifted her a little brother Mike and a baby sister Jean.

After graduating from Tomah High School in 1954, Donna married Vernon “Whitie” Evans at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They owned and operated the Sportsman’s Bar and for a time The Tomah Café. After Donna and Whitie were divorced, Donna worked at several different cocktail lounges in Tomah. She took great pride in her presentation skills and was a favorite bartender to many patrons. After going on a vacation with a friend to Las Vegas, she decided to move there for a few years and then spent several years in the Chicago area before eventually coming back to settle in Tomah where she worked in Admissions at the Tomah VA until her retirement.

Family was everything to Donna and she was devoted to her children Greg Evans (Donna) and Kelley Stiles (John). Her grandchildren were the light of her life. After her retirement, she spent every winter in Yuma, Arizona. This meant Christmas was celebrated earlier and earlier. Donna loved to shop for Christmas presents for her family all year round. Most times, the gifts were non-returnable treasures from her adventures to Arizona and Mexico.

Even though her and Whitie were no longer married, they were together when it came to holidays and family. It may not have looked normal, but they celebrated together and showed their family what love really looks like. She surrounded herself with beautiful things she loved and liked to entertain in her home. She loved playing cards and socializing with her many friends and looked forward to her card club with the girls each month.

Donna Faye is survived by and will be missed by her children Greg Evans (Donna) of Tomah, Wisconsin and Kelley Stiles (John) of Shorewood, Illinois; her sister Rita Vinz (Jim) of Janesville, brother Mike Kelley (Sally) of Tomah, sister Jean Kelley of Marshfield; grandchildren Nick Evans (Tiffany) of Germantown, WI; Jenna Moser (Oakley) of Tomah, WI; Kane Stiles (Anesa) of Chicago, IL; Rhiannon Stiles, Shorewood, IL; and Landon Stiles, Morris, IL; and great-grandchildren Braxston Evans and Taron Evans of Germantown, WI; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother Charles Kelley and brother Donald Kelley.

A Memorial Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, 11:00 AM at Queen of the Apostles Parish, 303 W. Monroe Street, Tomah. Father Matthew Bowe will officiate. Burial will be in the Wyeville Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Thursday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com."

Vernon Avery "Whitey" EVANS (`) (~) and Donna Faye KELLEY had the following children:

Vernon Avery "Whitey" EVANS (`) (~) and Theoda "Tody" SHAITEL were married.⁶⁶⁴ Theoda "Tody" SHAITEL was born (date unknown).

Vernon Avery "Whitey" EVANS (`) (~) and Charmaine "Char" SPENCER were married.⁶⁶⁴ Charmaine "Char" SPENCER was born (date unknown).