Arletta Elaine “Sweet Breeze” Bundy Evans was born in Marion, IN, the second of three daughters of Wynetta and Herman Bundy. She was her daddy’s blonde, blue-eyed beauty with the brightest dimpled smile, twinkle in her eye, and a feisty free spirit to match. Her childhood was filled with many outdoor adventures, fun moments with cousins, 4-H, and traditions from her rich Miami Native American heritage.
Arletta attended Freemont Elementary School and later Van Buren High School where she met Lyle Eugene Evans, her sweetheart for life. Four years her senior, Lyle asked the pretty blonde who used to pester him in study hall out on a double date. The rest is memory making history; the two married on September 6, 1959 at the Christy Street Church in Marion, IN. They spent their honeymoon in Ludington, MI, one of Arletta’s favorite places to be.
The young couple settled in Van Buren, IN and didn’t waste any time building a family and life together. Within five years they had three little boys when Lyle’s work moved them to Berne, IN in 1964. In Berne, their lives and family continued to flourish. Despite being a busy young mother, Arletta attended South Adams High School at night where she achieved her high school diploma. She also worked at the Berne Tri-weekly, South Adams Elementary School cafeteria, and in the deli at Johnson’s Junction.
Arletta’s personal passions included crocheting, quilting, and singing. As an active member of the First Missionary Church, she was instrumental in the Red Hatters (founding member), Friendship Sunday School, numerous bible studies and singing groups, and Hearts & Hands sewing group. Together with Lyle, she was a devoted youth sponsor for 15 years and served on several mission trips including to Haiti.
But it was homemaker, mother, and grandmother that was Arletta’s sole purpose and shaped the story of her life. Arletta was her children and grandchildren’s fiercest, most passionate and often loudest fan sitting in the stands at hundreds of sporting events, dance recitals, choir and band concerts, and musicals. She would travel hundreds of miles to attend grandparents’ day and school programs or simply to babysit. Over the years, she served as Cub Scouts Den Mother, 4-H leader, and Pom Pom sponsor. She loved spoiling her granddaughters with tea parties and cooking her signature English toffee and pumpkin bread for the family. Arletta always dreamed of having a large family. Over the last 65 years, Arletta and Lyle’s family blossomed to include 50 people.
Arletta is survived and dearly missed by so many but especially her husband Lyle, children Rick (Robin), Brian (Carolanne), Mark, Matt (Allison), Amy (Sean), Heather (Fred), 17 grandchildren and their loving spouses, and 12 great grandchildren (with another one on the way).
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 10th from 1pm-4:00 pm at Liechty Funeral Home in Berne, IN. Funeral service will be held at First Missionary Church at 11:00 am on Monday, November 11th with visitation one hour prior. Funeral service will be officiated by Rev. Jim Schwartz and Steve Harrigan. Burial to follow at MRE cemetery.
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