Mrs. Catherine Jane Thocher-Evans, age 54, of Hart, Michigan, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2014. She was born December 1, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, to David and Jane (Wiggins) Thocher. Following her graduation from Hart High School in 1978, she earned her Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State University in social work, and later earned a second Bachelor's Degree from Grand Valley State University in education. She married Tim Evans on August 20, 1983, in Elbridge Community Church. Cathy's first job was at Dave's Party Store; she worked at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility for eleven years as a social worker and as a teacher in the Hart Public School system for twenty-two years in the Golden, Spitler, Elbridge, and Weare buildings. Cathy had a positive outlook on life and continued teaching throughout her courageous eight year battle with cancer. She always placed others first, especially her students, whom she loved greatly.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Tim Evans; her mother Jane (Jerry) O'Meara of Mears; brothers and sister, David (Perri) Thocher of Marne, Timothy Thocher of Lansing, Christopher Thocher of Hart, Quinton (Judy) Thocher of Victoria, MN, and Mary McKenzie of Grand Rapids; brothers and sisters-in-law, Janice (Allen) Foster of Hart, Linda (Bob) Gailey of Lansing, Renee (Stan) Respotnik of Ludington, and William (Cheryl) Evans of Hart; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Layni Wyns of Hart, Julie (Jim) VanBergen of Muskegon, Sara (Jim) Nordlund of Ludington, and Tami (Roger) Kokx of Hart; and her dog, Milo. She was preceded in death by her father, David Thocher, in 1994; her father-in-law, Jack Evans; her mother-in-law, Toots Evans; and her nephew, Jordan Evans.

The Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Thocher-Evans will be Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Hart with Father Thomas Bolster presiding. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the King Funeral Home of Hart. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Hart Area Public Library, 415 South State Street, Hart, MI 49420 or to the Jordan Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Oceana County Community Foundation, 242 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, MI 49455.