Evan Joseph Gordon

Evan Joseph Gordon, 24, formerly of Payne, died Wednesday, November 27, 2013, in an automobile accident in Van Wert County.

He was born July 31, 1989, in Van Wert, the son of Bill and Lori (Schneider) Gordon, both of whom survive in Payne.

Other survivors include a brother, Nicholas J. Gordon of Payne; his paternal grandfather, Paul A. Gordon of Payne; maternal grandparents James C. Sr. and Carolyn Schneider of Middle Point; two aunts, Linda (Dennis) Sullivan of Indianapolis, Ind., and Eileen (Marc) Durette of Minocqua, Wis.; three uncles, David (Debra) Gordon and Kenneth Gordon, both of Payne, and James (Julie) Schneider Jr. of Convoy; and many cousins.

His grandmother, Maxine Gordon’ and an uncle, Richard Gordon, also preceded him in death.

Evan worked at Discount Tire in Fort Wayne, Ind., for five years and was involved for most of his life in the family business, Gordon Tool Inc., working full-time there the last two years, where he was responsible for logistics and maintenance, as well as sales. Evan truly had a love for God, life and country.

He especially enjoyed cars and racing cars. He was an active member of the Fort Wayne Muscle Car Club, was a former Boy Scout and altar server at (St. John the Baptist) Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Payne, of which he was a member. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, was pro-life and was involved in ZIJA International, where he actively worked to help those in need in various parts of the world.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Payne, with Father Jacob Gordon officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Payne.

Calling hours are from 2-9 p.m. Monday, December 2, at Dooley Funeral Home in Payne, where a Christian wake service will be held at 7 that evening, followed by the Rosary.

Preferred memorials: Wounded Warrior Fund and the Zija Miracle Foundation.