Roger Stanley Caris, Sr.

Roger Stanley Caris, Sr., 82, of Hastings, Michigan entered rest with his Savior on April 19, 2023.

Roger was born on October 4, 1940, the son of Stanley Eugene and Francis Ruth (Scofield) Caris. He was a 1958 graduate of Fulton High School. On August 28, 1964, he married Mary Skinner, and later married Barbara Avery on December 11, 2002.

Prior to Federal Mogul, where he worked for 8 years, he was a semi-truck driver. He left Federal Mogul and opened a Western Auto Store in 1974, which is what brought him to Hastings. He became a volunteer firefighter while running his business. In 1981, he was appointed the job of being the Hastings/BIRCH Fire Chief.

Roger was a certified Firefighter Training Officer I, II and III. He was honored by the State Fire Safety Board 1991-1995. Roger was a Certified Terrorism Awareness First Responder TTT. He was the Secretary/Treasurer for the Western Michigan Fire Chiefs Association from 1989-1991. In 1985, he was awarded the Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award for Outstanding and Meritorious Service to Humanity. He served as the President of the Michigan Fire Chiefs Association from 1992-1993. He was presented a Years of Service Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs of the Great Lakes Division. Roger was appointed by the Governor of Michigan John Engler as a member of the State Fire Safety Board from May 1993-July 1995. Additionally, he was a certified instructor for the Dale Carnegie Course. Roger also served on the Board of Directors at the Thornapple Credit Union.

Roger loved to play golf. He enjoyed riding ATV's, camping, hunting, ice fishing, and riding his motorcycle. He always looked forward to attending many of his grandchildren's events.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Francis Caris, wife Barb Caris, son Douglas Skinner, brother Ron Caris, and great-grandson Ben Hammond.

He is survived by his children Bill Skinner, Sue (Ed) McKeough, Teresa (Jim) Sheldon, Paul (Katie) Skinner, Roger (Melissa) Caris, grandchildren Danyel Hammond, Lori Bohan, Michael McKeough, Phillip McKeough, Brian McKeough, Joshua Sheldon, Brooke Smeckert, Adam Sheldon, Alex Skinner, Austin Caris, Emilie Caris, Ethan Caris, and adopted grandchildren Mikenna Caris and Kenny Caris, several great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, nephew James Avery, sister Nancy (Larry) Townsend, and sister-in-law Kay Caris.

Contributions in memory of Roger can be made to the Hastings Fire Department, 201 E State St., Hastings, MI 49058, the BCF Keith and Elsie Sage Hastings Fire Department Fund, 231 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058, or Green Gables Haven https://www.greengableshaven.org/wish-list/ (Donate).

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Barry Expo Center, 1350 M-37, Hastings, MI 49058, and again on Monday, April 24, 2023 from Noon to 1:00 PM, with a Funeral Service to follow at 1:00 at the Expo Center. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.