Keith W. Evener, 69 of Lafollette Road Millfield, Ohio, born July 20, 1954, and raised in Athens County, son of Mary Josephine Willis Evener and Donald James Evener, passed away unexpectedly at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio July 9, 2024, resulting from complications following outpatient surgery. Keith was well known in Athens and surrounding counties and had many friends he had made over the years. Keith enjoyed a good laugh and had a great sense of humor, but more importantly, a heart of gold and was always willing to help someone. Keith, a graduate of Federal Hocking, was a hard worker even at a young age, starting out in his early teens changing tires at a local service station in Amesville and later working for Good Year, (Appalachian Tire) in Athens, Ohio. Keith retired from Athens Township where he did road maintenance for many years. Keith was a good tractor and implement mechanic and refurbished several tractors in a small business (Evener’s Farm Equipment) he and his wife Rebecca Powell Evener owned and operated. Keith was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his whole life, he loved to hunt when he was feeling able, but years of hard work had taken its toll on his back and he could not enjoy it as he did when he was younger, but he took great joy and admiration in teaching his son and daughter, grandsons and granddaughter, and nephew the ways of the woods, while practicing good hunting and safety skills. Keith enjoyed farming, raising many cattle and hogs over the years. Above all things in this world that Keith loved, his family meant more to him than anything. He took great joy in his hobbies, making homemade sauerkraut, canning, cooking, visiting his 96 year old mother daily at the nursing home and taking her something he cooked homemade for her. One of Keith’s accomplishments that he was so proud of was turning his life over to Christ and being saved. Keith was baptized on a brisk winter day in the middle of November in Federal Creek in Amesville, OH. He was a member of McDougal Church, and attended regularly and was glad when he could witness this accomplishment.
Keith is survived by his mother, Mary (Jo) Willis Evener, his wife of 46 years and the only woman he ever loved, Rebecca Powell Evener, a son, Keith Wayne II (Stephanie) Evener, a daughter, Jennifer Ruth (Buddy Vore) Evener. Grandchildren that he loved with his whole heart, Isabelle (Brady) Jones, Preston (Jalynn) Evener, Elyas (Sarah) Kochis, Braeden Evener, Ashton (AKA Chuckie) Kochis, Rhett Evener, and a great grandson, Brantley (Stinky) Jones. A special nephew that he considered to be another grandson, Riley Russell. A brother, John (June) Evener Athens. Sisters, Linda Ewing, Millfield, Sheila (Tom) Antle, Athens, Ruth Evener, The Plains, and sister-in-law, Dorothy (Steve) Newton, Lancaster. Sisters-in-law, Phyllis Gaskalla and Darlene Campbell. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and many friends. Keith also loved his other children, his put Benny (Swilly) and his three-legged cat, Tripod.
Keith was preceded in death by his father, Donald James Evener, father-in-law, Phillip Powell, mother-in-law, Ruth Powell, infant sister, Susie Evener, a brother, Donald (Tink) Evener, grandson, Gabriel Matthew Evener, brother-in-law, Elmer Ewing, and a special brother-in-law and best friend, Charlie Gaskalla.
Keith’s greatest wish would be that all his friends and family would find the Lord and meet him in Heaven one day. He also wanted everyone to know that he is mom’s favorite.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday July 13, 2024, at the Bishopville Church of Christ with Stanley Strode officiating. Interment will be in the Concord Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday at the church from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and also on Friday one hour prior to the service. Friends and family may gather for a potluck dinner and fellowship at the Bishopville Church of Christ following the services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Morrison Funeral Chapel. A message of comfort may be sent to the family at www.morrisonfc.com.
