Laura Evelyn (Davis) Shoults

Laura "Evelyn" (Davis) Shoults, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, age 98, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Marion General Hospital. She was born on January 18, 1928, at home in Westfield, Morrow County, OH to the late Martin and Ella (Slack) Davis.

Evelyn was very proud to be a twin. Her and her twin sister Elizabeth (Libby) did many things together. They worked at HPM and later the Marion Power Shovel together. They were very proud to attend a 1-room schoolhouse in Westfield, and later they graduated from Cardington Lincoln High School, Class of 1945. For numerous years, they would faithfully attend the yearly alumni banquet, with Evelyn recently celebrating her 80th class reunion in May of 2025.

In July of 1949, Evelyn went on her first date with classmate James (Jim) Shoults and they were married on April 8, 1951. He preceded her in death on August 19, 2018, after 67 years of marriage.

Evelyn dedicated 26 years of her life as a secretary at Mount Gilead Schools, where she was a trusted and valued member of the community. She would always be pleased when former students would recognize her and say, "Hi Mrs. Shoults!". She was a longtime member of Trinity Methodist Church in Mt. Gilead, OH, where she contributed to the church's activities and mission. Evelyn also gave her time selflessly as a volunteer at Morrow County Hospital and was an active member of the Silver Twig. Her commitment to service extended to her involvement with the United Methodist Women group, and being a former Girl Scout leader. In her spare time, Evelyn enjoyed playing Rummy Cube and Euchre, sewing, reading, shopping, camping, traveling, attending the sports and activities of her children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren, and attending Navy reunions with Jim.

Evelyn is survived by her two sons, Robert and Richard Shoults; son-in-law Robert Riggleman; five grandchildren: Chad Shoults, Laura (Matt) Fiant, Frank Shoults (Shannon Erskine), Kadie-Marie (Shoults) Burks (Austin), and Molly McCracken (Michael Cowles); nine great-grandchildren: Kasey and James Fiant, Hayleigh Brown, Allyssa Pierce, and Cohen Cowles, and Isiah, Nevaeh, Azierah, and Kamaiyah Burks; as well as her sister-in-law Harriet (Shoults) Gompf and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Evelyn was preceded in death by her daughter Marcia (McCracken) Riggleman, her two sisters: Berneice Hough and Libby Davis, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Gompf Funeral Home, 440 Center Street in Cardington. The funeral service will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, at the funeral home at 10:30 AM with Chaplain Pam Lamb-Hart officiating. Following the service, the burial will take place in the Westfield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Cardington Alumni Association, C/O Quinn Maceyko, 358 East Main Street, Cardington, Ohio 43315.

Gompf Funeral Service of Cardington is honored to have been chosen to assist the Shoults family with Evelyn's final wishes. Condolences may be expressed to her family at www.gompffh.com