Rev. Paul A. Evard
September 22, 1935 ~ March 19, 2018
Rev. Paul A. Evard, a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 19, 2018. Fr. Paul was born September 22, 1935, in Indianapolis, to the late Richard F. and Ruth Ellen (Blake) Evard.
As a teenager, Paul went to Costa Rica on an exchange program, which encouraged his vocation. He attended St. Meinrad Seminary and was ordained on May 7, 1961. During his early years as a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Fr. Paul answered the call to serve as a missionary. He was sent to South America and served the people of the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, Ecuador, for most of life. Fr. Paul served his mission well, helping to build several churches and schools in South America. Fr. Paul retired in 2001 due to failing health.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Evard, Jr.; and two sisters, Dolores Kesterson, and Letitia VanBenton.
Survivors include his brother, Joe Evard of Cleveland, Ohio; three sisters, Mary (Jack) Patterson of Noblesville, Sister Virginia Evard of Winnipeg, Canada, and Zita Rosner of Greenwood; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Rev. Paul A. Evard from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis. Reception of the body will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2018 in St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visit www.OrileyFuneralHome.com where you may express condolences to Fr. Paul’s family.
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Rest in peace, Father Paul. Job well done, lift well lived. May perpetual light shine upon you.
Missy Hathaway
Muncie, Indiana
To the family and friends of Reverend Paul, my heartfelt condolences for your loss. As you cope with your loss, may you find comfort in knowing that God promises to put an end to all the things that have plagued mankind for centuries including death (Revelation 21:3,4). May these promises from God’s word, the Bible give you comfort now and real hope for the future. My deepest sympathy.
My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. Losing someone you love is truly difficult and I know Rev. Evard will be missed. Please know our Heavenly Father holds out promises that can help us with our sorrow. One such promise is that death soon will be done away with forever (Revelation 21:4) and another promise is that “there is going to be a resurrection.” (Acts 24:15) I pray these promises from God, who cannot lie, (Titus 1:2) bring you comfort.
My deepest sympathy of the passing of Father Paul. He was pastor at St. Michael’s in Charlestown for one-year, but that single year brought the beginnings of a new church by this very humble priest. The year was 1980. A new chapter in the story of our parish developed with his pastorate. The parish undertook a major project of constructing a new church. The time had come when the facilities of St. Michael’s needed to be expanded. It was all too evident that the present school cafeteria was never designed or intended to be the permanent Church and no longer could fill the needs of the people. Father Paul brought to fruition the new church that we celebrate the Mass today. We had Mass at the old location dating back to 1952 when the school building was constructed. Father Paul’s influence was more concrete than having us build the new church. He met the spiritual needs of his new family and brought warmth of his homilies that focused on the missionary spirit that dwelled in his heart. He never was afraid to walk the streets of Charlestown, knocking on doors of non-members of his parish spreading the Gospel of Christ. He visited many homes during that year evangelizing to the people of the community. He was quite an inspiration to me and to many at St. Michael’s. May he rest in God’s peace. Chuck E. Ledbetter, Sr.
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