Evelyn Meier

Evelyn Fern Meier, age 94, of Lamar, passed away early Monday morning, January 19, 2015 at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Evelyn was born March 28, 1920, at Wadena, Iowa, to L.T. and Ruth (Beckwith) Waterman.  She moved with her family to Barton County where her father was a constable in Lamar.  Evelyn married Floyd Shepard who died in September of 1951.  On June 17, 1956, at Galena, Kansas, she married Ernie Meier and they had celebrated more than 44 years together before his passing February 1, 2000.  Evelyn was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Ona Robertson; a step-son, Rudy Hosack; and a daughter-in-law, LaWanda Shepard.      An industrious and energetic role model, Evelyn met every challenge of her life with common sense wisdom, determination, and perseverance.  In addition to being a homemaker, she had worked for a few years as a welder at O’Sullivan Industries.  Evelyn had been an active member of the Barton County Democratic Association, was interested in politics at every level of government and had served as an election worker for many years.  Family, however, was her first priority and she was a true mother and grandmother to many by adoption of her heart.        Survivors include a son, Gary Shepard, Lamar; a step-son, Kenny (Amy) Meier, Seattle, Washington; a niece raised as a daughter, Shirley Stark, Springfield, Missouri; 14 grandchildren, Michael (Janet) Shepard, Steven Shepard, Shanna (B.J.) Coffey, Eric Shepard, Kevin (Luciana) Brown, L.T. Meier, Sue Ellen Hegel and Diane Meier,  Rowan Hosack, Ryan Hosack, Randle Hosack, Michael Hosack and Alan Hosack; six great-grandchildren, Sophie Brown, Beau Brown, Brycen Coffey, Madilynn Coffey, Sean Shepard and Ian Shepard; nephews and nieces, Tim Stark, George Stark, Lisa Crain and Cindy Crain; and a large extended family.      A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24th, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Oakton, Missouri with Eric Burton officiating.