Charles R. Burris

Charles R. Burris, 71, of New Philadelphia, died Sunday, July 29, 2012 in Union Hospital at Dover following a 17 year battle with cancer.

A son of the late Joseph H. Burris and the late Lelia M. (Reynolds) Snodgras, Charles was born August 11, 1940 at Halloway, Ohio.

Charles was a 1958 graduate of Strasburg High School where he was an outstanding basketball player. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed in Germany from October 21, 1958 until receiving an honorable discharge on February 12, 1962.

He attended Otterbein United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia where he also served as the church custodian.

He is survived by the love of his life and best friend of 22 years, his wife, Karen Schwartz Burris of the home; his step children, Rick Schwartz, of the home who was his best buddy, Jay and Lisa Schwartz of New Philadelphia and Chad and Trudy Schwartz of Strasburg; his step grandchildren, Heather Schwartz and Phillip Schwartz both of New Philadelphia and Carrie Ann and Brandon Schwartz of Strasburg; his children, Brad Burris of Mesa Arizona, Jill and Darryl Bigbee of Evansville, Indiana and Scott and Teeia Burris of Atlanta, Georgia; his grandchildren, Bryce, Reed and Parker Burris, Benjamin, Zachary and Matthew Wilkinson and Lacy and Kennedy Burris; a sister, Carolyn (Dale) Haas; two brothers, Jim and Joe Burris; a half-sister, Susie (Dave) Baerner; an aunt, Ada Clark of Uhrichsville and many dear friends.

In keeping with Charles’ wishes there will be no public calling hours and a graveside service will be held at a later date in Western Reserve National Cemetery at Rittman, Ohio. Cremation will take place through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory at Dover.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Nagajothi and his nurses, Melanie, Jill, Shelley and “Sweatie” Kendra for their care of Charles.

The family would also like to thank Pastor Tim McCollum of the Otterbein United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia for his visits with Charles.

Contributions may be made in Charles’ memory to the Otterbein United Methodist Church, 156 Beaver Avenue NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.