June 5, 2018

Evelyn Maxine Ham

04-08-1924 to 06-03-2018

Linn County News

Published June 6, 2018

Evelyn Maxine Ham went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 3, 2018.

Evelyn was born on April 8, 1924, to Charles and Francena Holmes Vest. She grew up on the State Line between Prescott, Kan., and Hume, Mo., and as a child walked with her brother and sister to the Fairmount Church every Sunday. She graduated from Prescott High School, and after high school Evelyn worked at the Western Insurance Co. waiting for her high school sweetheart to return from basic training.

Walt Ham and Evelyn Vest were married in 1946, and together they drove a model T Ford to Washington, D.C., on dirt roads. In Washington, Walt worked at the Pentagon and also was a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier until the war work ended. Evelyn was employed by the original Macys department store while in Washington.

After returning to Prescott Evelyn was employed by the Prescott Bank, the United States Post Office and Ham Implement Co. She later owned a ceramic shop where many clients were taught the art of ceramic. In addition to being a wife and mother and working full time, she was the best homemaker around, a wonderful cook, a seamstress, always had a garden and canned, and she loved her beautiful flowers. She would have even made June Cleaver look bad! (And Evelyn was beautiful.)

Evelyn lost Walt, her best friend and husband of 67 years, in November of 2014. They were still just as devoted to one another as they were in high school. Evelyn missed Walt so much, that family and friends may take much comfort knowing that they are now together again. Evelyn was just waiting for her happy reunion with Walt and her Lord.

Evelyn is survived by her two children: son Larry Ham and wife Pam of rural Fort Scott, Kan., and Linda Pruitt and husband Urvy of Fort Scott. She was blessed with four grandsons and their families: Kirby and Jay Ham, and Jeff and Derek Fugate. There are eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are one sister, Addie Mae Ralph of Fort Scott; and two sisters-in-law, Shirley Park of Pleasant Hill, Mo., and Clara Vest of Springfield, Mo. She was preceded in death by a brother, Bud Vest.

Evelyn was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Fort Scott, and she was very close to her church family. She listened to Pastor Paul Rooks on the radio every Sunday.

Graveside services will be conducted at 10.30 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018, by Pastor Paul Rooks at the Prescott Cemetery, Prescott. Schneider Funeral Home of Pleasanton is in charge of arrangements. A special thanks to the caring staff at Prescott County View Nursing Home. Evelyn always said, “They are so clean, and they feed me too much.”

The family suggests contributions to the Grace Baptist Church in Fort Scott, which may be sent in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kan. 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.