Evelyn M. Bryan Rayner
Evelyn M. Bryan Rayner, age 93, of Ava, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, October 31, 2025 at Altercare Summit Acres in Caldwell. She was born June 18, 1932, in Ava, daughter of the late Leonard and Edith Tilton Bryan. She married Wilfred “Shine” Rayner on July 8, 1950, who died December 1, 2006. Together they owned and operated Rayner’s Garage beginning in 1964 upon the death of Shine’s father Boots. The business passed to son Bryan and his wife Theresa. Bryan died in 2013. Evelyn was a faithful member of the Ava United Methodist Church for more than 60 years, where she was a long time Sunday School Teacher. She loved working with the children. Evelyn was also a wonderful homemaker, who loved cooking, baking, crafting and caring for her yard. She loved her family and cherished time spent with them.
In addition to her parents, husband and son, Evelyn was preceded in death by her brother, William “Bill” Bryan; step-mother, Madaline Bryan; granddaughter, Tiffany Wehr; son-in-law, John Wheeler; special friend, Cecil Lawrence; faithful companion, Blaze; and many other beloved relatives and friends.
Surviving are a daughter, Darla Wheeler of Ava; a daughter-in-law, Theresa Rayner of Ava; three grandchildren, Jamie (Jodi) Wheeler, Jenny Wheeler (Dale Kontel) and Emily Yonker; great-grandchildren, Camden Wheeler, Christopher and Zackary Wehr, Bryan and Abigail Yonker.
Friends may call Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street in Caldwell. The funeral will be observed Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Ava United Methodist Church with Ken Perkins and Rev. Dennis Williams officiating. Burial will be in Halley’s Ridge Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to the Ava United Methodist Church, c/o Mark Davis, 15040 Johnny Woods River Road, Caldwell, Ohio 43724; the Ava Free Methodist Church, c/o Theresa Rayner, PO Box 41, Ava, Ohio 43711; or to Hospice of Guernsey, 9711 East Pike Road, Cambridge, Ohio 43725 or online at www.hospiceofguernsey.com. An online guestbook may be signed at www.mcvay-perkins.com.