CARTHAGE — Mark A. Searles, 57, of Carthage, died unexpectedly late Saturday evening, March 31, at his home.

He was born on May 6, 1954, in Farmington, a son of Harvey and Salome (Chandler) Searles Sr. He attended local schools, graduating from Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. He later earned an associate degree in small engine repair from the technical college in Presque Isle.

Mark most recently had been a truck driver working part time for Clint Bradbury in Dixfield. He had previously worked at Forster Mfg. in East Wilton, Timberlands and as an independent logger.

He served on the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department and was passionate about the outdoors. He loved camping, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his mother, Salome Searles of Chesterville; his wife, Sylvia Newton of Carthage, whom he married on Sept. 29, 1990, in Wilton; stepchildren, Cynthia “Cindy” Snell and her husband, John, of Mexico, Christine Cochran and her husband, Keith, of Carthage, Neil Harkness and his wife, Jennifer, of Ohio, Crystal Federenko and her husband, Virgil, of Minnesota, and Amanda Putnam and her husband, Ryan, of Peru; siblings, Harvey Searles Jr. and his wife, Anna, of New Sharon, Sally Richards and her husband, Albert, of Iowa, Stanley Searles of Chesterville, Charlotte Plummer of Mexico, Linda Dunham and her husband, Kevin, of Farmington, Dale Searles of Farmington, and Paul Searles and his wife, Angelita, of North Carolina; and 13 step-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his father, Harvey Searles Sr., in June 2004; and infant twin brothers.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with his family at www.wilesrc.com.