Alfred R. Evans, 85, of LeRoy, Minn., died peacefully in his home Friday, June 7, 2013.

Alfred was born Nov. 30, 1927, in Chappell, Neb., to Florence and Ray Evans. He grew up in Sidney, Neb., where he played high school basketball and worked as a printer’s devil.

He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 16 during World War II and was a proud member of the Rochester, Minn., Honor Flight corp in October 2009. He was a linotype operator/printer/publisher through his lifetime, starting his publishing career in Atkinson, Ill., at The Atkinson-Annawan News weekly newspaper in 1963. During his career, he owned publications as well in Hillsboro, Wis.; the Henry County Advertizer in Geneseo, Ill.; and three other area publications in Orion, Port Byron and Atkinson. With his wife, he owned the LeRoy Independent in LeRoy, Minn., buying it in 1992 as well as the Lime Springs Herald.

He was a fifth-generation printer and one of his greatest achievements was the fact most of his children followed in his career footsteps.

Alfred is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eileen. They were married Oct. 16, 1950, in International Falls, Minn. He is also survived by 14 children, including Terry (Mary Kay) of Plymouth, Wis.; Pat Markor of Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Tim (Luanne) of Moline, Ill.; Linda (Leo) Smith of Park City, Ill.; Debra (Joe) Welter of Grayslake, Ill.; Sue Beck of Canton, Ga.; Donna (Tom) Gnidovic of Chicago; Barb (Brian) O’Neill of Owatonna, Minn.; Dan (Joyce) of LeRoy; Julie (Mark) Hale of Clearwater, Fla.; Greg (Sue) of Sparta, Wis.; Natalie (Robert Rizer) of Beaver Dam, Wis.; Dave (Amy) of Kasson, Minn.; Matt (Jessie) of Byron, Minn.; as well as 32 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Paul (Sue) of Bayard, Neb., and Don of Bridgeport, Neb.; as well as two sisters, LaWanda Bennett of Bayard and Connie (Don) Benker of Greeley, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Virgil; and an infant son Ronnie.

Alfred was a member of the LeRoy American Legion Post 161, served on the Illinois Press Association Board of Directors, helped start the Atkinson Chamber of Commerce and served as president, served as member of the Atkinson Fire Department, and the Atkinson Village Board. He was chairman of LeRoy Economic Development Board and helped find a physician and start the Mayo Clinic Health System in LeRoy. He was an active member of the LeRoy Senior Citizens and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in LeRoy.

He was a Nebraska football fan and enjoyed playing horse shoes, bowling, pool, cribbage, computer games, as well as watching game shows and reading books on Westerns.

A funeral service for Alfred will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday June 11, 2013, at St Patricks Catholic Church in LeRoy, Minn., with Father Marreddy Pothireddy officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, June 10, 2013 from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy is handling the arrangements and online condolenses are welcome at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.