Evelyn Marie Garrison passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the age of 95 years, in Rossville, Indiana. Born Evelyn Marie Eytchison on April 22, 1931, near Sheridan, Indiana, she was the eldest daughter of Enoch James “Red” and Thelma Louise Eytchison. She graduated from Whitestown High School in 1950 and married William Bradley Garrison on September 3, 1950. He preceded her in death in October of 1983.
While Brad served in the Korean War, she attended Indiana Business College and learned to be an executive secretary, eventually being employed by Allison Transmission in Indianapolis. Once Brad had returned from Korea, they continued to live and work in the Indianapolis area for several years until an opportunity presented itself for both of them to work for Morton Thiokol in Brigham City, Utah. Their son, Darwin Alec, was born there in 1964. Due to a business downturn, the family relocated to Kokomo, Indiana in 1964, where Brad obtained work at General Motors’ Guide Lamp division and Evelyn transitioned to a full-time homemaker.
In 1966, the family again relocated when Brad took on his job at Allison Transmission, this time to Whitestown, Indiana, where Evelyn would reside for the next 60 years. Evelyn’s life traced a trajectory that followed the changing world of rural Indiana through the upheavals wrought by America’s transition from regional isolationism to world power. She changed with the times, starting as a rural farm girl, working as a waitress to pay for middle and high school clothes during the summers, then becoming an office professional at two major corporations. When her son was older, she even entered into the retail business world of Tupperware, rising to be a manager during the 1970’s.
Throughout her life, she was social and gregarious, involved in church organizations, Eastern Star (where she served in many leadership positions), and in helping the neighbors around her. Yet, her greatest joy came from being a strong, independent woman who could help others, frequently organizing and directing church activities such as noodle and funeral dinners and driving older friends to appointments and shopping. She was a member of the Whitestown United Methodist Church, as well as a member of the Whitestown Order of Eastern Star – Chapter 248.
Evelyn is survived by her son, Darwin A. Garrison and his wife, Tamara Sue (Carroll) Garrison; grandson, Kyle William; granddaughters, Sabrina Brooke, and Erin Marie; nephews, Gregory Garrison, and William Garrison; and by her niece, Victoria Garrison, who greatly comforted her during her final year by visiting frequently. She was preceded in death by her parents, Enoch James “Red” and Thelma Louise Eytchison; sister, Joan Ottinger and her husband Lawrence O.; and by her husband, Brad Garrison.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM, Sunday, May 10, 2026, with Eastern Star services being held at 7:00 PM, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th Street, Sheridan, Indiana. Funeral Services will take place at 1:00 PM, Monday, May 11, 2026, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan, Indiana.