Arland ”mike” C. Caris

Arland C. “Mike” Caris, 76, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, July 14, 2010 in Schoenbrunn Health Care at New Philadelphia following an extended illness.A son of the late Chester I. and Ellen Marie (Cover) Caris, Mike was born February 3, 1934 at Bucyrus, Ohio.Mike graduated from Whetstone High School in 1952 and four years later he would marry the love of his life, the former Sharon Skeldon on June 23, 1956. Then in November of 1956, Mike was drafted into the United States Army and served stateside until his honorable discharge two years later.He held various jobs over the years and his employment became a large part of his life. Mike earned a position with Columbus Equipment and quickly became promoted to Branch Manager of both their Cadiz and Canton locations. He was highly regarded in his field by his colleagues and his employees even considered Mike as a family member, even calling him Dad. He eventually retired in 1998.Mike was a member of Sacred Heart Church at New Philadelphia. He was also a member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510 and a former member of the Dover Exchange Club. He enjoyed golfing with friends while his health permitted him to do so and he will be remembered as being an excellent poker player.He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon Caris of the home; three sons, Michael (Rose) Caris of New Philadelphia, Douglas (Mary Ellen) Caris of Coatsville, Pennsylvania and Thomas Caris of Tampa, Florida; six grandchildren, Brooke (Pat Hostettler) Caris, Adam Caris, Tracee (Kurtis Elvey) Stoiber, Mitchell Caris, Nicholas Caris and Carmen Caris; two great grandchildren, Isabella Caris and Logan Parman; two sisters, Dorothy Eusey of Bucyrus and Leota (John) Grover of Chattanooga, Tennessee and many nieces and nephews.Mike was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Kelly Anne Sachs and a grandson, Timothy Stoiber.The family will receive friends on Friday, July 16, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.Contributions may be made in Mike’s memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.