Donald V. Evans Sr.

Donald V. Evans Sr., age 86, of Joplin, Mo., passed away at 2:37 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, at Mercy Hospital-Joplin following a short illness. Don was born Aug. 26, 1925, in White City, Kan. He graduated from White City High School, received his bachelor's degree from Manhattan Christian College and a master's degree from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. Don was a Christian minister and had ministries in Kansas at Pleasant Ridge, Mankato, Burr Oak, Hiawatha, Clay Center and Lawrence. He taught at Baker University in Baldwin, Kan., and moved to Joplin in 1968 to teach at Ozark Christian College. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the College. He was the minister of the Bella Vista Christian Church in Bella Vista, Ark., from 1975 until 1993. He then returned to Joplin and served as director of student ministries for Ozark Christian College. He was a member of the College Heights Christian Church. Don married Lois Randall, Dec. 28, 1949, and she survives. Additional survivors include a son, Donald Evans Jr., Olathe, Kan.; two daughters, Janie Mowrey and husband, Mike, Rogers, Ark., and Sue Creson and husband, Scott, Webb City, Mo.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the College Heights Christian Church, with Rick Bushnell, minister, officiating. Burial will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. Monday at the church. Memorial contributions are requested to Ozark Christian College in care of the mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.