Evelyn M (Fischer) Doke

Evelyn Marie Doke, 101, of Elkhart, died at 2:36 a.m. on Friday. July 31, 2020 at Hubbard Hill Estates, where is resided for the past 6 ½ years. She was born in Elkhart on June 20, 1919 to Charles and Isa (Boren) Fischer. She married Ray Herbert Doke, Jr., on January 16, 1943 in Paris, Tennessee, prior to him being sent overseas for service in WWII. He died in 2009 after 66 years of marriage.

Evelyn is survived by a daughter, Carol Rae (Thomas) Heffner of Elkhart, and a son, Ronald J. Doke of Dunlap, a grandson, Matthew T. (Carla) Heffner, and two great grandchildren, Lauren and Jack of River Forest, IL. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, who all knew her as “Aunt Evie”, and a special cousin, Jan Stutz of Elkhart, who was a faithful friend and always ready to help with things. A beloved brother, “Uncle Kenny” Fischer, preceded her in death in 2009.

In her early years, Evelyn worked at Bendix Corporation in South Bend, and then at C.G. Conn in Elkhart, where she was a secretary and stenographer and was proud of her abilities to take dictation and write shorthand and was an excellent typist. After Conn’s, she became a switchboard operator at the telephone company, and was eventually hired at CTS Corporation, where she retired after 30 years of service and made many lifelong friends there.

After retirement, she joined the Elkhart General Hospital Auxiliary as a “Pink Lady”, which she enjoyed doing for many years. In addition to the hospital auxiliary, she was also a member of the CTS Quarter Century Club, the Rosary Sodality at St. Vincent’s, the Woman’s Catholic Order of Foresters, and NARFE.

She and Ray loved to travel, and they went on many trips with the Elkhart YMCA. Their favorite vacation spot was Hot Springs, Arkansas in late winter, where they enjoyed the hot mineral baths and going to the horse races. They also enjoyed their weekly organ lessons in Mishawaka and formed many long-lasting friendships with the other in their organ classes. Evelyn loved her cat, “Baby Butter”, who provided a lot of companionship for her in later years, and at her request, his ashes will be buried with her.

Visitation will be at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home at 403 West Franklin Street in Elkhart, on August 4th from 4 to 6 pm and 1 hour prior to a funeral mass at St. Vincent’s Church on August 5th at 11 a.m., where she was a member since childhood, with Father Craig officiating. All persons will be required to wear a face covering. Burial will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery.

Carol and Ron would like to offer their sincere thank you and appreciation to Dr. Moore and the staff at Hubbard Hill, who provided excellent care and love to Mom during her final days, and also to the staff at the Center of Hospice Care, who attended to her needs.

Memorials can be given to the St. Vincent Church or to The Center for Hospice Care.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evelyn M (Fischer) Doke, please visit our floral store.