Evelyn E. Spencer McCalla, 99, formerly of Belle Center, passed away Sunday afternoon, March 26, 2023, at Logan Acres Care Center, Bellefontaine.
Evelyn was born on July 30, 1923, in Hardin County, Ohio, to Major and Elsie “Shepherd” (Hughes) Spencer, who both preceded her in death. She was an only child.
On July 30, 1941, Evelyn married Hubert McCalla. They were married by his father, Rev. A.W. McCalla. Hubert died on May 8, 1997; they were married for 55 years.
Evelyn is survived by a son Tom (Jean) McCalla of Harrod; a grandson Mark McCalla of Perry, Florida; a grandson-in-law, Tim Vanderlaan of Shiloh, North Carolina; great-grandsons: Tommy McCalla and A.J. Aragon; great-great-grandchildren; Allissa Aragon, Rosemary Aragon, Virginia McCalla, and Jacob McCall;; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Evelyn was also preceded in death by a son Rex Delmar McCalla at birth (February 12, 1944), son Jack A. McCalla (September 9, 2005), a granddaughter, Caroline Sue Vanderlaan, her stepfather Finley Hughes, stepbrother, Donald Hughes, and two stepsisters: Dorothy (Rev. Don) Deunal of Lima, and Mary (Jim) Pape.
Evelyn attended Island Grove Grammar School and had been in several spelling contests. She graduated from McGuffey-McDonald High School in 1941. Evelyn was Salutatorian of her class and had earned a scholarship to Ohio Northern University. She was a bookkeeper and parts deliverer for Shorty’s Garage, the business her husband owned & operated for 40 years. Evelyn was a caregiver for her husband, mother, and son. She was a member of the American Legion, Belle Center Church of Christ, and had also worked at Sperry Rubber Plant. Evelyn loved her family, friends, and her companion, her dog “Sassy.” She enjoyed puzzles, especially cryptograms, shopping, fishing, flea markets, garage sales, reading and dancing.
Pastor Dean Wasson and Pastor Kris Langstaff will officiate Evelyn’s funeral on Thursday, March 30, at 1 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Belle Center, where the visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Burial will follow the service in Fairview Cemetery, Belle Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to Susan B Koemen Breast Cancer Research, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX 75380.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Belle Center, is honored to serve the McCalla family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.