NEWBURY TWP. – Evelyn M. Blair (nee Gates), age 100, of Newbury Township, died March 19, 2019, at Maplewood Assisted Living in Munson Township.
Born Feb. 6, 1919, to Ross and Mabel (nee Dallas) Gates, she was a lifelong area resident. She graduated from Chester High School in 1937.
Evelyn and her husband, Audre, met at a dairy judging event and were married at her family home in Munson on Oct. 9, 1937, and were married almost 75 years. They retired in 1977 and spent their winters in Zephryhills, Fla.
Evelyn served in numerous county organization and public service groups, including being a 4-H advisor for 25-plus years, Newbury and Huntsburg Granges, lifelong member of the Ohio Farm Bureau and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is probably most well known for her involvement on the Geauga County Fair Auxiliary in the Antique Department that was formed in 1973.
Evelyn and Audre were elected into the Geauga County Maple Producers Hall of Fame and Geauga County Farm Family of the Year.
She most enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, square dancing, painting, genealogy, gardening and making her rhubarb crunch.
Evelyn is survived by her daughters Kathryn (Jimmie), of Canton, and Jeanne (Reed), of Cleveland Heights; sons George (Kathy), of Middlefield, and Robert (Palina), of Newbury; and 21 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Audre; son Gerald (Kathy) Blair, of Newbury; daughter Sally (Carl) Wilhjelm, of Johnson City, Tenn.; and sister, Nettie Mapes, of Chester Township.
A Memorial Service will be held July 20, 2019, at 2 p.m., at the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations in her name to: The Geauga County Fair Foundation, P.O. Box 402, Burton, OH 44021.
Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.