Frieda Evelyn (nee Kress) Sloat, born May 22, 1920 moved to heaven on July 24, 2025. Evelyn was reared near Potsdam, Ohio, the oldest child of Walter and Marie Kress. She had 4 siblings – Ruby Kress (deceased), Jean Shuck (deceased), Robert Kress (deceased) and Carlon Kress. Her grandmother and aunt took her to church.

Evelyn began to sense an interest in missions when she was only 8 years old.  She trusted in the merits of Christ’s blood for her salvation at 12 years of age. A couple of years after she graduated from high school, she went to Fort Wayne Bible College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and enrolled in the mission’s course. Very soon after graduating, at the end of 1944 she left for Nigeria, West Africa. She arrived on January 1, 1945. At a Christmas gathering with fellow missionaries in 1945 she saw Russell Sloat whom she had met briefly back in the States. Russell soon asked if he could write to her. They were married in Nigeria on October 18, 1946.

The Lord blessed their home with five children – Jane (David) Atkinson, Lloyd (deceased), Elaine (deceased), Ann (David) Hough and Carol (Michael) Hogan. Evelyn served there 40 years and was given the name of love and respect, “Mama Sloat,” by the Nigerians. Russell and Evelyn retired the “final” time about 1978 and settled on the family farm near Elkhart, Indiana. Several years after Russell passed into glory, she moved to Munster, Indiana, to be closer to some of her family which has now grown to 9 grandchildren: April (Shawn) Millard and Lee (Bethany) Atkinson, Jim (Michelle) Hough, Mary Hough, David Hough, and Matthew, Martin, Kristin and Rachael as well as12 great-grandchildren. She remained active as a member of the Dyer Baptist Church and became everyone’s “grandma”. She will be missed. Her example of faithfulness will not be soon forgotten. We rejoice that she is now in heaven.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Dyer Baptist Church 735 213^th St. Dyer, IN with Pastor Lee Atkinson officiating.  Interment will be private.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Evelyn’s name to Plum Creek Christian Academy 735 213th St. Dyer, IN 46311.

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