Darwin Edward Evans

Darwin Evans, 88, of Dowagiac, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Lakeland Medical Center-St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 PM Friday, July 1, 2016 at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Rev. Gerald Bushnell officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 5 PM until 7 PM at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Sister Lakes or Indian Lakes Fire Department. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkchapel.com. Darwin was born on January 25, 1928 in Berrien Springs to Vernon & Hattie (Zelmer) Lokey. After high school, Darwin enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and proudly served until 1949. On September 25, 1947 he married the love of his life, Ann Marie Murphy, in Kalamazoo. While in the Navy he had an interest in electronics and earned his associates degree from Valparaiso University. After receiving his degree in electronics he worked for a short time at Bendix in South Bend and Curtis TV before he went to work at Heathkit in St. Joseph as a technician in 1957. He later advanced to FCC Superiors of Regulatory Compliance Laboratory as an engineer where he designed approximately fifty products before retiring in 1993. Darwin was the founder of the Sister Lakes Fire Department, where he worked as the Fire Chief and Communications Operator. In addition to working for the fire department, he worked as an EMT Specialist. One of his main interests was being a Ham Operator, while he was stationed in Panama. Darwin had a love for gardening; he grew flowers, vegetables, strawberries and grapes. He also enjoyed model airplanes, but most of all he loved spending time with his friends and family. Darwin is survived by his children, Sandra (Kevin DeFord) Evans of Hartford, Cathy (Jirair) Barseghian of Pismo Beach, CA, Brad Evans of Sister Lakes, Lora Evans of Sister Lakes and Cynthia Hogue of Sister Lakes; grandchildren Brian, Angela, Zhirik, Derik, Jeffrey, Casey and Stacia; siblings, David (Charlotte) Evans, Gail (Margarite) Evans, Ronnie Evans and Vernon (Lucinda) Evans. Darwin was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Ann Marie Evans; granddaughter, Sarah Ferguson; great-grandson, Jaxon Barseghian; siblings Larry Evans and Tom Culver and son-in-law, George Hogue.