M. Evelyn Eifler, age 83, loving mother and devoted wife, died Friday, December 28 at peace surrounded by her family at her home in Hartwell, Georgia following a long illness.

She was born October 23, 1924 in Northampton, Massachusetts to Charles and Rose Morton. Upon leaving her beloved home in Massachusetts, Mrs. Eifler moved to Atlanta with her family in 1966. She later made her home in Hartwell, Georgia where she spent many years with her husband Frank A. Eifler raising their children and caring for their grandchildren. As an active member of the Hartwell community she was a long time employee of Gold Kist Farmer's Mutual Exchange where she cherished many friends in the farming community. Evelyn also worked as Church Secretary for Hartwell First Presbyterian Church and as Attendance Secretary at Hart County High School. Her passion for reading led to her volunteer work with the Nancy Hart Literacy Council guiding and teaching adults to discover their own love of reading. She was a lover of animals and never was a stray turned away from her home. Mrs. Eifler was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hartwell. Her family would want you to know that her generosity and kind heart were an inspiration to all who knew her.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband Frank Andrew Eifler. She is survived by her two sisters, Eileen Morton and Rita Bullard of Quincy, Massachusetts; her seven children: daughter Linda Eifler of Canton, Ga.; daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law Diane Doehla and Chuck Whelan of Duluth, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law Paul and Millie Eifler of Hartwell GA; daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Stephen Rowley of Norcross, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law Frank and Pam Eifler of Hartwell, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law Edward and Regina Eifler of Flowery Branch, Ga.; and daughter and son-in-law Leslie and David Stone of Hartwell, Ga. Missing their "Nana" are her sixteen grandchildren, Tony, Marc, Charlie, Troy, James, Gretchen, Katherine, Elisabeth, Frank, Amy, Dale, Kelly, Lauren, Andrew, Sarah and William. She was also blessed with seven great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, December 31 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with Burial in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home ~ Hartwell Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday night.The family is at the home.In lieu of flowers please send donations to either Nancy Hart Literacy Council, Hart County Adult Learning Center, 110 Benson Street, Hartwell, GA 30643 or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1009 Benson Street, Hartwell, GA 30643.