Evelyn E. Lynch

Evelyn E. (Zerfas) Lynch, age 89, of DeWitt, MI, passed away Monday, March 29, 2021, at her home with her son at her side. Evelyn was born in Allegan, MI on October 6, 1931, to George Henry and Elizabeth Katherine (Kipen) Zerfas. Evelyn graduated valedictorian from Springport High school in 1949. She attended Detroit Mercy College, Nazareth College and Michigan State University where she met her husband of 67 years, Dr. William M. Lynch of Highland Park, MI. They were married September 19, 1953, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Three Rivers, MI. Shortly after Bill’s graduation from the MSU School of Veterinarian Medicine, Bill and Evelyn were stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. They eventually settled in Ann Arbor, MI where they raised their 5 children and lived for 12 years. Evelyn loved spending summers with her family at their cottage in the Irish Hills. Following a brief period of living in Texas, in 1980, the family moved to East Lansing, MI where Bill and Evelyn remained until their retirement in 1996. When their youngest child enrolled at MSU, she enrolled also and in 1982, at the age of 51 she proudly graduated from MSU with BA degree in History. Her love of history and curiosity about the world led her to enroll at Lansing Community College and take the necessary coursework to become a travel agent. Her job gave her the opportunity to learn about destinations that she would eventually visit. Throughout their marriage Bill and Evelyn explored many places. They spent several years in their retirement traveling with their RV and visiting their children and grandchildren. Evelyn loved the game of duplicate bridge and played as many as 4 events per week and traveled across the state to compete. She took it very seriously and achieved Advanced NABC Life Master status. In March of 2020, she played her last game of bridge, and went out on top. It happened to be her best hand ever – the next day, the bridge facility closed along with the others due to the Covid pandemic. Even in her last days, she mentioned often that she wished could just play one more hand. Evelyn is survived by her children: Michael L. (Susan) Lynch, Kathleen Lynch Gladding, James M. (Martha) Lynch, Patrick J. (Kimberly) Lynch; grandchildren: Michael, Kimberly, Elizabeth, Kelly, David, Kelsey, Colin, Emily, Matthew, Nicholas, Connor, Christopher; 5 great grand-children; brother Donald Zerfas; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband William Michael Lynch; parents, George and Elizabeth Zerfas; sons Thomas William Lynch and John Joseph Lynch; siblings: Norman Zerfas, Arlene Steinbacher, Richard Zerfas, Jean Mason, Phillip Zerfas, Therese Lauer, and Robert Zerfas. The family would like to thank Firstlight Home Care, especially Dawn, Symone and Gina; and Sparrow Home Hospice, especially Mandy. A private Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Catholic Community of St. Jude with Rev. Fr. David Speicher celebrating. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. Those desiring, may make contributions in Evelyn’s honor to the American Cancer Society, your local food bank, or any area shelter for women and children.