Samuel Evoniuk, 93, Fairfield, died Thursday, November 12, 2009 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Samuel’s parastas will be at 10 a.m., Monday, November 16, 2009 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Fairfield with Fr. Taras Miles presiding. Interment will follow at St. Josaphat’s Cemetery, Gorham, with military honors provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post #144. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. There will be a rosary led by Deacon Al Schwindt at 2 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Samuel J. Evoniuk was born February 6, 1916 on his dads family homestead in Billings County near Gorham, the son of John N. and Anna (Olynik) Evoniuk. He went eastern Oregon and worked in the Cornucopia gold mines from 1937 to 1940 when he returned to home to work on the farm.
Samuel joined the United States Marine Corps September 18, 1942 and had served honorably until October 17, 1945. During his military service he was attached to an artillery division. He had served in the occupation of Tinian, the Marshall Islands, the invasion of Tarawa, and other areas in the Southwest Pacific.
Samuel returned home and was united in marriage to Marjorie Palanuk on February 1, 1946 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church at Ukrainia. They made their home in the Gorham area where they farmed and raised their family. He served a couple of terms on the county commission, he and Marjorie enjoyed traveling, spent a few winters in Texas and Vegas; and he also enjoyed fishing trips to Canada.
Samuel is survived by his wife, Marjorie; their four children, Dale (Linda) Evoniuk, Fairfield, Chris (Marion) Evoniuk, Austin, Texas, Robert Evoniuk, Dickinson, Pamela (Rick) Hartwig, Fargo; daughter-in-law, Amy Evoniuk, Newburg, Ind.; four grandchildren, Traci (Chris) Knopik, Hazen, Brad (Jessie) Evoniuk, Nevada, Iowa, Ryan Evoniuk, Washington, and Lisa Evoniuk-Primrose, Austin, Texas; one great-granddaughter, Sameena Knopik, Hazen; two sisters, Julia Kordon, Fairfield, and Rose Klym, Dickinson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Alvin James; six sisters, Tillie, Mabel, Sophie, Mary, Olga and Katie; and two brothers, James and Alex.
