John Garis

John N. Garis , “Big John”, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2015, at the age of 69. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania to John and Eleanor Garis.

Like the Cubs, he fought a valiant fight but eventually lost the game to cancer and kidney failure. At the end of the game he was surrounded by his loving family including his darling companion, Katharine, of 46 years, his daughter Kristen (Mark) Clark of Mt. Horeb, WI, and sons Daniel (Tobie) Garis of North Andover, MA and Timothy (Mindy) Garis of Crystal Lake, IL. John will be sorely missed by his six terrific grandchildren, Mackenzie and Keegan Garis, Emma and Jenna Clark, and Jack and Maddie Garis, who affectionately knew him as “G-Pop”. John is also survived by his twin sister Martha (Larry) Weidner, of Reading, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Gail Schell, his father- and mother-in-law John and Miriam Shugars, and his brother-in-law Stephen Shugars.

John spent his entire career in the field of Occupational Health and Safety. The first 5 years with the Department of Environmental Resources with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and then 29 years with Kemper/NATLSCO. The last 11 years he was in business for himself with Garis Safety Training, Inc. Many of his business relationships also developed into lifelong friendships.

John was interested in a wide variety of things; photography, gardening, cooking, traveling, which he did extensively with Kathie, camping, model railroading, visiting with family and friends, talking politics with a smaller and smaller number of people who were actually listening (except with the guys of the Tuesday morning Coffee Club), fishing, hunting, although hunting actually implies shooting something when in fact he was a lot more adept at taking his gun for a walk. He was a 40-year member of First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake. Besides leading his Small Group in fellowship and Bible study he was one of the original adult leaders to take the youth of the church to Kentucky for 6 years as they rehabbed homes in the Harlan, Kentucky area. He was also active with the United Methodist Men.

Visitation will be at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave., from 9:00-10:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2015. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Scott Field officiating.

In lieu of flowers, take the ones you love to a Cubs or Sox game or go to dinner and remember and celebrate the good times you’ve had together and re-commit to have an even a stronger relationship. Memorials may be contributed to First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Rosner, the staff of DaVita Dialysis Center of Crystal Lake, Dr. Zahir, the staff of Fox Valley Hematology/Oncology, and the staff of Centegra Hospital, Woodstock for their exceptional, compassionate care of John over the past 3 years.

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