FREDERICKTOWN – Keith O. Evener, 71, of Fredericktown, passed away on Friday afternoon, Jan. 8, 2021, surrounded by his loving family at the Country Club Rehabilitation Campus in Mount Vernon. He was born on Feb. 7, 1949, in Mount Vernon to the late Glennis and Ruth (Smith) Evener.
Keith honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was a familiar face every year at Veterans Day ceremonies, AMVETS events, and he proudly participated in presentations to area schools about his veteran experience. As a lifelong congregant of the Salvation Army, Keith loved serving the community through bell ringing during Christmas seasons. For many years, he worked in manufacturing at Flxible Co. in Loudonville.
For almost 49 years, Keith was married to Karen, the love of his life and mother to their four children. He was her devoted best friend and Mr. Fix-it for everything, because he enjoyed tinkering on electronics, computers and cars. His love, dedication and trust over five decades with Karen laid a deep foundation under his family.
Keith’s legacy goes far beyond his time on Earth. Each of his four children will carry on some of his most memorable traits. Jason has his sense of loyalty to serve our country and his technological interests, Kristina has his sentimental nature and the knack to be a friend to anyone he meets, Hollie has his goofy sense of humor and his love for storytelling, and Leanna has his tender heart and his care to help anyone in need. His grandchildren all knew him as “Grumpy Grandpa,” but his memory will always be joyful in their hearts.
Keith is survived by his wife, Karen (Doup) Evener; daughters, Kristina (Henry) Mejia of Fredericktown, Hollie (Byron) Brubaker of Cleveland and Leanna (John) Cobb of Mount Vernon; son, Jason (Jessica) Evener of Mount Vernon; and nine grandchildren, Anthony and Mackenzie Evener, Henry, Ruthlynn, Leesandra, José and Glenn Mejia, and Luke and Daniel Cobb.
The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, 201 Newark Road in Mount Vernon. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Mound View Cemetery with Captain Christine Moretz. Military honors will be provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council.
Masks will be required, and social distancing will be observed.
Memorial contributions can be made to AMVETS Post 95 or The Salvation Army (Mount Vernon).
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Keith O. Evener.
