ROBERT PAUL “PETE” EVELAND

Robert Paul “Pete” Eveland, Sr., 89, of Republic passed away on Jan. 31, 2025. He was born in Willow Springs on Feb. 10, 1934; the son of Nathan and Marie Eveland.
He worked for Sante Fe Truckline as a truck driver, delivering shipments from the railroad. 
In 1963, he married Sharon Lee Bates of Guthrie Center, Iowa at the First Presbyterian Church of Guthrie Center. 
He also was active in many youth organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, Little League Baseball and all school events.  He received an outstanding driving record award from Sante Fe for 20 years of safe driving and numerous pins for annual safe driving awards. He retired from Santa Fe Railroad after 31 years, in 1985.
In 1991, he and Sharon moved to Springfield to be closer to their children and later bought their own apartment complex in Mt. Vernon in 1991.  While in Mt. Vernon, he volunteered for the Senior Center and delivered meals for 18 years.  They stayed there until 2014 when they moved to Republic where they volunteered at the Republic Senior Center for the past 10 years.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sharon; his children: Tina (Doug) Fulbright of Mt. Vernon and Robert Eveland, Jr. of Kansas City; his two grandsons; two granddaughters; five great-grandchildren as well as a future great-granddaughter due in May; his sisters, Ladonna Arrowood and Sharon Kay Miller; as well as by many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Harry, Raymond, George and John; as well as his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Verna and Don Bates of Guthrie Center, Iowa.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.