John Elza Evans, 57, of Nokomis, died on Tuesday Oct. 13, 2026, in Hillsboro.
Family and friends are invited to gather at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis, located at 200 East State St., on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to share stories, laughter and a little sarcasm in his honor. There will be no religious service or burial. He will be cremated, and his ashes will be interred at a later date in Indiana.
Mr. Evans was born on Aug. 25, 1969, in Indiana, and graduated from Nokomis High School. He spent more than 20 years in retail and customer service, including time at Johnston’s/County Market in Pana, Kroger in Nokomis, Mt. Zion and Taylorville and most recently CTI in Taylorville. He was so good at his work that customers would come in specifically to speak with him. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, and people left feeling like they had made a friend.
Outside of work, he was a devoted Trekkie and a lifelong lover of Disney. He was also a talented crocheter, making things by hand for the people he cared about. More recently, he had discovered a love of cruising and was always ready to set sail on the next adventure.
Mr. Evans had a laugh and a smile one would never forget. Please don’t say he lit up a room. He would say he set it on fire with sarcasm and wit.
Above all, he loved his family. He was an amazing uncle and a loyal best friend, and the people in his life knew they were loved.
Mr. Evans is survived by his Indiana family; Aunt Shirley Evans; and nine cousins, with whom he was glad to reconnect later in life. He is also survived by the family he found in Illinois: Tiffany, Justin, Auron and Koen Mills of Nokomis; Mary Kilmartin of Pana; and Lyle and Liz Smith of Nokomis. He is also survived by his brother, Tony Evans of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Evans; and his brothers, Micheal and Richard Magnus.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Trevor Project (thetrevorproject.org).
