James "Jim" E. Evans

To join the livestream of Mr. Evans' funeral service, please select the link below. The livestream will begin at 12:55 P.M. Saturday, March 1, 2025. The service video will be archived for 90 days following the funeral service for later viewing. https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MDUyMjQyMTM1MTYyNCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== James “Jim” E. Evans, age 75 years, a resident of Vienna, passed away Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:00 P.M. at his residence. Jim was born November 25, 1949 at the family home in Vienna. He was the son of Wayne O. and Mayme Edna (Brown) Evans. On August 22, 1971, Jim was united in marriage to Ann Carol (Hortin) at the Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Albion, Illinois. Together, they celebrated 53 years of marriage. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by: his children – Michael Clay (Kelly) Evans of Eureka, Missouri, Michelle Dawn (Kelly) Hunsaker and Barrett James Evans all of Vienna; 9 grandchildren – Daisha, Arianna, Joseph, Alexandria, Aidan, Maleia (Dylan), Maia, Kelsey (Tony) and Kamryn; a brother – Robert Gale (Patti) Evans of Mt. Vernon; a niece – Tiffany (Jeremy) Meyers; as well as a host of friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. Jim was a VHS graduate of 1967. He earned his master’s degree in history and physics from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Jim began his teaching career at St. Joseph Ogden School in 1971 at only 22 years of age. He then taught at Vienna High School from 1972 until his retirement in 2004. During his 32 years at VHS, Jim taught history and physics, coached sports, sponsored the VHS Academic Scholar Bowl Team and the Illianna, the VHS school yearbook. Jim also taught history at Shawnee Community College throughout the 1980s. Jim was a well-known and beloved member of the Johnson County community. He was first elected to the Vienna City Council in 1979. Jim served as an Alderman for over 30 years. Jim was also a Boy Scout leader and could be found visiting with his friends at the “Liars Club” table at the coffee shop most mornings. He was a proud member of the Bass Busters which later became the Johnson County Bass Club. He was a sports fanatic and loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals play and those close to him considered him to be the “#1 Cardinals Fan.” A funeral service honoring the life of Jim Evans will be conducted Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 1 P.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Brother Jim Faughn will officiate. Burial will be at Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 11 A.M. until the time of the service at 1 P.M. at Bailey Funeral Home. The family invites those who wish to honor Jim’s love of sports to wear St. Louis Cardinals attire to the visitation and funeral service. Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois, 3515 N Belt W, Belleville, IL 62226, Make-A-Wish Foundation (Illinois Chapter), 200 W Monroe St Suite 1801, Chicago, IL 60606, or to the Bobby Jones Chiari and Syringomyelia Foundation, 29 Crest Loop, Staten Island, NY 10312.

James "Jim" E. Evans

November 25, 1949 - February 24, 2025