John Franklin Caris

John F. Caris, age 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior on the 20th day of August, 2017, in Alma, Michigan.

John was born November 16, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Ray and Miriam (Rhodes) Caris.  He is survived by his son, Roger (Helen Hamler) Caris of Vestaburg; his daughter-in-law, Karen Caris of Puyallup, Washington; his brothers, James (Roberta) Caris of Grand Rapids, and Axel Caris of Vestaburg; his sister, Betty Ann (Alex) Naranjo of Long Beach, CA; eight grandchildren, Shannon Daly, Daniel (Katy) Caris, Andrew Caris, Rebekah Caris, all of Washington; Paul (Michelle) Caris of Georgia, Marcus Caris of Georgia, Doug Caris of Arizona, and Joy (Isaac) Graham of Alaska; and two great grandchildren, Anna and Jack Caris of Georgia.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John Robert Caris; his brothers, Richard Caris and Roland Bowen; and his sister, Caroline Balmert.

John worked at various companies, including Alma Products and Fisher Body, however, he was an entrepreneur at heart.  He built and operated the White Rose Gas Station in Vestaburg, was a “junk” man, and had many tenants on his properties in Conyers, Georgia, where he resided from the mid 1960’s through 2009, when he returned to Vestaburg.  He loved being with people and made friends “at the drop of a hat” and he would even ‘drop the hat.’

He will be missed by his family and church family (First Baptist Church in Vestaburg) and his many care givers at Masonic Pathways in Alma, where he spent his final three years.  The staff admired him and took great care of him.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. on September 15, 2017, at the First Baptist Church in Vestaburg, (corner of Caris and Derry Roads), with visitation at 10 a.m (one hour before the service.)  Burial will follow the service in Richland Township Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held following the burial service at the First Baptist Church, with an opportunity to recall some of his life stories and adventures.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church or to Montcalm County Commission on Aging.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.