The Journey is Complete

Evan Lefever took his last breath on Monday, February 26, 2018.

In his final days, Evan was staying comfortably in a bed near a large window so that he could see outdoors and feel the warmth of sunlight.  He allowed himself the delicacy of fresh orange slices -- Cara Caras, in particular, which are so sweet.  Of course, he had to spit out the flesh since he still couldn't swallow food, but he said that a little coughing and spitting was "entirely worthwhile" because these oranges were so delicious on his tongue.

While his wakefulness and responsiveness decreased, friends continued to visit Evan.  He listened yet again to the playlist he had carefully chosen for his Pre-Emptive Wake.  People chatted to him and about him so that he heard more of the voices he recognized.  When they had told all of their stories or (understandably) didn't know what to say, some people sang to him.  Once the decline had begun, it was swift yet comfortable.  Both Evan and his nearest family members were well supported and comforted in every sense.

We all knew Evan to be a forward-thinking man.  He lived his entire life true to himself, humble, ethical to the core.  Nothing on this earth wounded Evan more than witnessing injustice.  Along with his final wishes, he urged that people learn more about Henry George's single-land-tax economic theory.  In lieu of flowers or any such "frivolous waste" of money, Evan would be pleased and honored if donations were made to the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation or to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

We are tremendously grateful to the many people, near and far, who reached out to Evan and all the Lefevers during this illuminating course of life.

To Surprise Evan with Mementos

The Pre-Emptive Wake is very much Evan’s own idea and design.  (More about that lower on this page.)  The SURPRISE that we are hiding from him is about the decorations for the “wake.”  The plan is to decorate the entire event space with handmade Origami figurines.  This is where YOU come in!

A:  DON’T mention our plan to Evan, please.  It’s to be a surprise.

B:  DO feel free to share this site with any/all friends of Evan (if they can keep a secret), so they may also participate.

C:  DO contribute your own handmade Origami mementos as a sign of your affection for Evan.

As you may already know, Evan is not particularly fond of bouquets of overly-cultivated, out-of-season flowers.  In keeping with his mentality of a true craftsman, we think it quite fitting to decorate his Pre-Emptive Wake with handmade items and, better yet, handmade by the people who have known him and loved him best.  Our handmade figurines would preferably represent Mother Nature as a nod to Evan’s respect for the natural world.

Please feel free to make as many Origamis of any sizes, of any colors, using any style of paper you like.  We hope you will make at least a few so that we'll end up with hundreds in our garland.  Please print your name on your finished paper sculpture so that Evan will know who was thinking of him while each individual piece was being crafted, and maybe a reference to which part of his life you shared with him (high school, Heathcote, Lefever Plumbing & Heating, etc.).

Please mail/deliver all packages of Origamis to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart, Attn: ELCL, 1732 Garden Street, Elkhart, Indiana 46514, by February 1, 2018. They will then be strung together as garlands to decorate the space of the Pre-Emptive Wake on Feb. 10.

Toward the left of this page are some hyperlinks to user-friendly tutorials (non-binding) to spur your new creativity with Origami.  Thank you, immensely, for participating with your attendance and/or contributing to the decorations for this unique soiree in honor of Evan Lefever!

To Celebrate Evan's Life

Evan Lefever has opted to celebrate his storied life with a Pre-Emptive Wake on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 3pm.  Instead of missing out on hearing all the loving tales and good-natured ribbing which might take place at a conventional memorial service, he prefers that we “say it straight to his face” while he is still living his unconventional life. 

The blunt truth is that Evan has terminal cancer.  In October, 2017, a mass was discovered to be blocking the esophagus.  Due to its advanced stage and metastasis, treatment options are quite limited.  For the foreseeable future, Evan is living with his brother and sister-in-law and receiving hospice care while his daughter assists him on a daily basis.  Thankfully, he has no pain and he is very much himself in attitude and awareness, but understandably disappointed by his deteriorating body.  His physical strength and body mass decline steadily.

Evan still enjoys a good conversation, a good puzzle, and the fragrance of a good meal.  (However, he takes no food by mouth these days.)  Evan wants to experience all of these joys at his Pre-Emptive Wake.  We will gather at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart, 1732 Garden Street, Elkhart, Indiana 46514, armed with dishes to share and stories to tell of how very much much we appreciate this quiet man of great character.  Hopefully the years and the miles will seem to drop away, and he will be enveloped by of a lifetime of love and friendship.  And snack food.