Charles “Charlie” Moynihan EvansDeceased: July 6, 2012
Service Information:Visitation: Monday, July 9, 2012 5pm to 8pm at Lakeview Funeral Home
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Obituary
Charles “Charlie” Moynihan Evans, age 35, passed away in his Chicago home on July 6, 2012 after a bold and arduous two year battle with cancer. Charlie was born in Champaign, Illinois on July 28, 1976 to Mr. And Mrs. Charles Victor and Ruth Ann Evans, and he spent his childhood in Belleville and Champaign.
During his youth Charlie was very active at Indian Acres Swim Club in Champaign as a beloved coach, life guard, and seasoned member of the swim team. He was also a member of the St. Matthew’s Youth Group. Charlie is a 1994 graduate of Central High School, where he led the swim team, and the experiences and friendships he formed in Champaign enriched his life.
Charlie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998 with a degree in Economics, and after spending time in Taiwan teaching English, he returned to the University of Illinois College of Law, where he graduated in 2003 summa cum laude and was an Articles Editor of the school’s Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.
Charlie enjoyed his legal career, especially his clerkships with the Honorable James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois and the Honorable Michael S. Kanne of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He proudly ended his career as an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission.
Charlie met his wife Tiana Nell Evans in law school in 2002. They married in Evanston on December 20, 2008. The couple has two precious sons, Charles John “Jack” Evans, age 2, and Patrick Moynihan Evans, age 1. They were Charlie’s proudest accomplishments and will be his lasting legacy.
Charlie had many gifts and willing shared them. He was known for his generosity, kindness, and caring spirit. He felt this was a "wonderful life," and he lived it fully. He faced his disease with great courage and determination, and he never lost faith.
The following quote from Albert Schweitzer truly exemplifies Charlie’s life: "The full measure of a man is not to be found in the man himself, but in the colors and textures that come alive in others because of him."
Charlie is survived by his wife, Tiana Nell Evans, his children, Jack and Patrick Evans, his parents Charles “Charlie” and Ruth Ann Evans, his brothers, Timothy and Patrick Evans, his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret “Maggie” and Noah Morgan, his grandmother, Emily Moynihan, as well as many beloved uncles, aunts, cousins, and in-laws, and countless cherished friends, especially those from Central High School.
Family will receive friends at the Lakeview Funeral Home, 1458 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, on July 9 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, at 11:00 a.m. on July 10, with a lunch reception to follow. Interment service at Roselawn Cemetery, 611 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Champaign, on July 11 at 11:00 a.m., with a lunch reception to follow.
Messages
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Contributions in Charlie’s memory may be made either to the Evans Children Bright Directions Scholarship Fund (checks to Tiana Evans with “Bright Directions” on memo line, 450 E. Waterside Dr. #2008, Chicago, IL 60601), or to the Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University (call 312.503.4837 or visit https://www.secure.cancer.northwestern.edu/donation_new/). Charlie’s family will be forever grateful for the gift they were given—the gift of his life. His memory will be cherished, and he will be missed forever.
- July 9, 2012
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We are so sorry for your loss, and will pray for comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Brendan Powell and family
Lemoore, California
Annmarie Powell - July 9, 2012
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To the Evans family,
I just saw a link on FB regarding Charlie. Oh my gosh. I'm shocked....so so saddened. I had no idea. Charlie and I went to Central together and worked together at Indian Acres. He was always always so so kind - to me and to everyone around him. I remember Charlie as a spirited, bright, and happy young man. I truly can't remember a time that Charlie did not have a smile on his face. Please please let them know I am sending my thoughts, prayers, and love during this difficult time....and that I will always always have such fond memories of Charlie.
Much love,
Sarah Eheart - July 9, 2012
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We send our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to all the Evans Family. We are so sorry for the terrible loss of your dear son, brother, husband, father. So young, so soon, who will be missed by so many!
With love,
Walt and Toni - July 9, 2012
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Dear Evans family,
You are all in my prayers.
Charlie was such an upbeat and encouraging person. I loved how he could put a positive spin on anything! It was a joy working with him at Indian Acres.
Sandy Lu Newport
"Sandy the swim lady" - July 9, 2012
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Dear Charlie and Ruth,
I know that after we moved our boys lost contact, but I remember how close Charlie and Jonathan were during junior high. About 6 months ago, I heard about Charlie's illness and have been praying for him and his family. Jeanne St. Peter sent me info about him. When I read the message from Fran Wilberg about his passing, my heart broke for you all. Seeing the pictures of him with his family and especially his children just touched my heart. When I told Jonathan about Charlie, he was visibly affected. His obituary was beautiful - a tribute to the life he lived. I pray for you all. I hope you will find solace in knowing Charlie shares in the Lord's resurrection and that you always see his smile and the twinkle in his eye (I remember that!) in your grandchildren. God bless you all!
Loretta Feller - July 10, 2012
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Dear Ruth and Charlie,
I was saddened to read of the passing of your son, Charlie, in our newspaper. It sounds that your son grew up to be a fine young man, admired, respected, and loved deeply by his family and friends. I was a neighbor of yours in the mid to late 1970's in the Knollwood subdivision in Belleville, IL. I enjoyed your friendship during the limited amount of time that we were neighbors and have thought of you often--wondering where and what your family were up to over these many years! After reading the beautiful tribute to your son and looking at the pictures posted on the Lakeview website, I see that you are the same wonderful, tight knit family I remember.
Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Fondly,
Andi (Clinton) Groff
New Baden, IL - July 10, 2012
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To the Charlie Evans Family:
I’m so sorry to hear of Charlie’s passing! I even purchased a CD from my church this past Sunday for Charlie and Tiana (not realizing Charlie had passed). I would like to still send it.
I’m an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission’s HQ (in Washington DC). I never met Charlie but I have prayed for him and his family repeatedly during the past two years. I’m friends with FTC attorney Joannie Wei (who is a friend of Charlie’s). I met Joannie when she worked in our DC office; she is now in our Chicago office. I still remember when Joannie first called to tell me about her friend joining the FTC’s Chicago office and sharing her concern about his diagnosis.
As a young, married attorney (I’m 33) with two young sons (ages 2 and 4), Charlie and Tiana’s story really captured my heart. As a Christian, I felt compelled to pray. Many of my friends and family members started praying—some contacted Charlie directly (and he responded!); others branched out to various prayer groups. I never directly reached out to the Evans family but I kept praying and getting updates from Joannie.
I’m emailing because I want you to know that people who don’t even know you care about you; are grieving with you; and more importantly, have been praying for you and will continue to do so. Though my heartbreaks for you and things did not turn out as I had hoped, I will focus on the clear positives—
1) From the pictures and the words on the funeral website, I can tell that there were many genuine smiles before and during this stormy period. My faith in God tells me, there will be many more after.
2) Charlie leaves behind many beautiful people and things. We must mourn his passing (and those closest to him will always grieve for him) but we must also focus on those beautiful people and things –ensuring they continue to grow and shine – as that is what Charlie would have wanted.
3) You have a beautiful family and I see Charlie’s imprint all over (hopefully, a source of comfort to you).
4) Charlie caused many people, including persons he never met, to reflect on their personal relationships with God and to cherish their lives in the present – despite life’s ups and downs (some routine others entirely unexpected; all capable of making us forget to appreciate what we have).
It is my prayer that in this difficult time that each of you will seek refuge in the Lord. I know He alone can change the bitter into sweet. It is my prayer He works this miracle for each of one of you today and beyond. Psalm 34:8, 18, and 22 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him…The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit…The Lord will rescue his servants, no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”
I will continue to pray for all of you. I know others are doing the same.
Sincerely,
Lorielle
Lorielle L. Pankey - July 14, 2012
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Ruth and Charlie,
Diana and I are very sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Nothing is much harder. Sounds like a terrific man. That is your legacy. I know you are proud of him but very saddened by his shortened life. We offer our sympathy to both of you.
with love.
Stan and Diana Roth
jenison mi 49428
