Jon Evelyn Wettlin

Mrs. Jon Evelyn Wettlin passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Saginaw Senior Care & Rehab Center.  Age 87 years. On June 26, 1937, a beautiful baby girl was born to Lula Elizabeth and John Albert Smith, Jr., in Eudora, Arkansas. Jon Evelyn was raised in a Christian family where her parents were faithful Christians who served at Bethel A.M.E. Church of Eudora, Arkansas. Both were Sunday school teachers and her mother was the church pianist.

At age 12, Jon Evelyn moved to Saginaw, Michigan, to live with her sister, Mrs. Louise Ernest Archer, and began to attend Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She attended Central Jr. High School and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1954. She participated in a variety of school activities including choir and speech. And, it was at that time that she also met the love of her life, Theodore David Wettlin.

On May 29, 1955, she and her beloved were wed and took their vows very seriously saying, “in sickness and in health until death do we part.” When David’s military duties began in Gelenhusen, Germany, Jon Evelyn left Saginaw to live in Germany. This was the beginning of their love of foreign travel. During their time in Germany, she studied modeling and fashion at the House of Baughn in Gelehausen. One year later in 1961, they welcomed their first child, Roderick David Wettlin, and in 1962, the happy couple welcomed their second child Wendolyn Karol Wettlin. They dearly loved both of their children.

Upon returning to Saginaw, Jon Evelyn worked for Dr. Walter L. Webb and later accepted a position with Dr. Bruce S. Dummett as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Secretary for 23 years. She touched the lives of so many people with her warmth, kindness, and smile. In fact, her love for life was sprinkled in every encounter; she always made everyone feel special.

Jon Evelyn accepted Christ in her life in October 1949 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she was an active member for over 50 years. She served with the Courtesy Ministry, the Quality-of-Life Support Ministry and actively volunteered and supported many of the church auxiliaries.

Jon Evelyn was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the American Heart Association. In 1985 she launched her own Millinery business, The Hats of Jon, where she truly enjoyed working with women and introducing them to designer hats. She enrolled in classes to further her education in small business management and foreign languages. Jon Evelyn loved to travel and included such places as Paris, England, Iceland, Germany, Spain, Bermuda, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Bahamas.

Jon Evelyn leaves behind to cherish her memory, son, Roderick Wettlin of Surprise, Arizona; daughter, Wendolyn Wettlin, Belleville, Michigan; four grandchildren, Julian D. (Jessica) Wettlin, Ferndale, Michigan, Karmen E. Wettlin, Hazel Park, Michigan, Jonathan M. Davis, Belleville, Michigan, and Ty Reynolds of Las Vegas, Nevada; two great-grandsons, Cameron Vincent Wettlin and Elexander Van David Wettlin; a loving and caring goddaughter, Debwin Williams; two godsons, Isaiah Walker and Buford Gaiter; special daughter, Sandye Belton-Thomas; bonus sons, Rodney Parker, Michael Heilig; and a host of loving nieces and nephews.

Jon Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. John A Smith; mother and father-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Elmo Wettlin; her loving husband of 50 years Theodore David Wettlin; sister, Mrs. Louise Archer; brothers, Sterling E. Hawkins and Charles C. Smith; sisters-in-law, Ernestine Hawkins, Elaine Wettlin, and Dorothy Everett; brother-in-law, Lawrence Wettlin; and her "wonder twin," niece, Peeti Greene.

Jon Evelyn answered to many names; Queen Mother, Ma, G-Ma, Gramma, G.G., Aunt Evelyn, and Mrs. Evie. She will be deeply missed in our circle of family and friends, but she leaves behind a multitude of fond memories, many dear friends, and her church family.

Please read Psalm 121: 1-8 and think about a lifetime of pleasant memories and a life well-lived full of love and laughter. The family extends its gratitude to the MyMichigan Medical Center of Saginaw as well as the Staff of Health Source and Saginaw Senior Care & Rehab Center.