Michael R. Evans

Michael Robert Evans, 69, of Bourbonnais, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 21st, 2024. He was born June 11th, 1955, in Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Robert and Lucille Evans. Mike graduated in 1973 from Lafayette Jefferson High School, then graduated from Ball State University, Muncie Indiana with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Special Education. He taught from 1977 until 2024 at multiple schools; Winchester Elementary School, Winchester, Indiana, Herscher High School, Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School, and Indian Oaks Academy. Mike was involved in coaching Cross Country, Track, and Basketball. He took special pride in developing the Special Olympics basketball program at BBCHS. He enjoyed the support of his teams by students, staff, and the community. Special memories related to the basketball days were trips to the state tournaments and playing at the half-time at a Chicago Bulls game. Mike was also a co-sponsor and trainer for the Natural Helpers Program at BBCHS, a peer support program. Most recently, he was a teacher at Indian Oaks Academy, culminating a 47 year teaching career still arriving to work way earlier than what was required. He will be missed by many. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Old Westerns, 70’s Rock Music, and Jimmy Buffett. He was also a known fan of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears. He loved Purdue, college basketball, and Bobby Knight / IU. He was known to order the same thing every time he went to Arni’s Pizza in Lafayette, Indiana where he grew up. During the holidays he couldn’t keep gifts a secret and loved the movies A Christmas Story and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Mike also liked fishing trips and the Renaissance Fairs. Mike is survived by two children, Valerie (Christopher) Cuddy and Vincent Evans; grandsons, Kieran Robert Cuddy and Kellen Richard Cuddy; former wife and mother of his children, Lara “Lolly” Evans, brother, Greg (Sherry) Evans; niece, Samantha Evans; stepsiblings, Kimberly Roebuck and Leslie Snyder. Preceding him in death are his parents. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 4p.m. at Jensen Funeral Home, Kankakee. Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family.