Obituary

Evelyn C. Michaels

Center Township

Evelyn June Carlson Michaels, 95, of Center Township, passed away peacefully in the company of her children on September 16, 2017. After years of declining health, she is free at last. The only child of the late Ellen M. Haglund and Ralph E. Carlson, Evelyn was born on August 7, 1922 in Vintondale, Cambria County. She and her husband, the late Carl F. Michaels, were graduates of Ambridge High School.

As a child, Evelyn spoke Swedish with her grandparents, only learning English when she entered grade school. She was baptized in Siloa Lutheran Church in Morris Run, Tioga County, and was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Center Township.

Like so many of the Greatest Generation, Evelyn’s life was full of adventures, challenges, and the rewards of hard work. During World War II she and Carl were married on January 3, 1943. While Carl served in the Army in the Pacific Theatre, Evelyn did her part making propellers at Curtis Wright in Beaver and ordering thousands of components for B-17 and B-24 bombers. For fifteen years she worked in the payroll department of Spang-Chalfant in Ambridge, retiring to raise her children.

Insight, creativity and determination were the hallmarks of Evelyn’s life. If she needed something, she made it, built it, fixed it, baked it or raised it, or helped someone else do the same. If it didn’t exist, she invented it. She enjoyed oil painting, needlework and sewing, origami, gardening and homesteading. She and her family found great joy in their farm near Beaver, raising sheep, goats and Irish Setters. A voracious reader, she instilled in her children a love of nature, history, maps and travel. Throughout her life she sent thousands of letters sharing the simple delights of everyday events, written in her tiny, exquisite cursive handwriting. She was renowned for her apple pies and apple-head figurines.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Victoria E. Michaels of Industry Borough and James A. Michaels of Center Township, cousin Joan (Robert) Hodder of Blossburg, sister-in-law Agnes Meyers of Ambridge, and former son-in-law Richard Shuler of Potter Township. She was preceded in death by cousins who were brothers to her: Herbert Johnson of New Cumberland PA, Gilbert (Gig) Carlson of Rochester NY, Ervin (Bub) Carlson of Morris Run, and Edgar (Bergen) Carlson of Blossburg.

Friends and family will be received at Todd Funeral Home, 340 Third Street, Beaver PA 15009, on Tuesday, September 19 from 9:30 AM until time of service at 11:45 AM. Burial will be private.

Jim and Vicky thank Dr. Stewart Lancaster and the staff of UPMC Beaver Cancer Center, Dr. Gregory Jovanelly, Dr. Ivan Baumwell, and the staff of Heritage Hospice, especially Missy and Barb, for their devoted care of Mother.

Memorial contributions may be made for maintenance of Morris Run’s historic Lutheran Community Cemetery in care of Ann Lee Strong, PO Box 183, Morris Run, PA 16939.