Evelyn Wise Salak

Abingdon, VA – Evelyn Wise Salak, age 100, passed on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Bristol Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.   Evelyn was born in Louisville, KY to the late Evan and Anna Van Donsel Wise.  She was raised in Chattanooga, TN where she graduated from Notre Dame Catholic School.  

Evelyn worked for the Chattanooga area draft board during WWII and met Frank Salak at a USO dance.   They married in 1947 when Frank returned from WWII.  They moved to Pennsylvania and then to Grundy, VA where Evelyn was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and was active in the community.  Upon Frank’s retirement in 1988, they moved to Abingdon, VA.  Evelyn became a member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she faithfully attended until her health declined.

In addition to her parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Frank Salak; brother, Thomas Wise; and two sisters, Helen Wise O’Neil and Caroline Wise Hill.

She is survived by her children, David Salak and wife Liz of Falls Church, VA, and Carol Casto and husband Stephen of Fort White, FL; grandson, Benjamin Salak; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation with the family will be held 1:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2023, in Christ the King Catholic Church.  A Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Father Christopher Masla officiating.  Entombment will follow in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum of Forest Hills Memory Gardens.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.   The family of Evelyn Wise Salak is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.