705 W. Warren Street | (812) 849-2600 |

Roland E. GainesPassing: January 2, 2018

Service:

First Baptist Church

Funeral Service

Sunday, January 7th @ 1:30 pm

Visitation:

Chastain Funeral Home

Saturday, January 6th @ 4:00-7:00 pm

Cemetery:

Knott Cemetery

Sunday, January 7th

MITCHELL – Roland E. Gaines, 81, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Indiana University Health Hospice House in Bloomington.

Born May 24, 1936, in Bedford, he was the son of Ray and Addie (Clements) Gaines.  He married Patsy Lou Williams on May 26, 1957, at Pinhook.

Roland was a proud employee of General Motors having been hired in August of 1962.  He was a machine repairman having become an expert in hydraulics.  He was the first Quality Award winner presented to a General Motors employee.  Roland retired in 1992 stating that he was leaving the best job in the plant.

Roland was a member of the first board of directors of the Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department, the first board of directors of the Hoosier Hills Credit Union, and served on the board of the South Lawrence Water Corporation, later becoming the manager.  He was also a member of the Lawrence County Council.

He was a Boy Scout Master of Troop 339 of the First Baptist Church in Bedford and saw his sons reach the rank of Eagle and Life Scouts.  Roland was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mitchell, and served as chairman of the deacons.

Surviving:
wife,
Patsy Gaines of Mitchell
sons,
Joe F. (Amy) Gaines of Greenville, North Carolina
Jimmy D. (Paula) Gaines of Merritt Island, Florida
grandchildren,
Heather  (Jacob) Anderson, David Gaines, Samantha (Stephen) Cecil, and Taylor Gaines
great grandchildren,
Cameron and Jayden Anderson, Emily and Eli Gaines, Jace  and Alivia Cecil
siblings,
Betty (Tom) Gerkin of Bedford
Raymond (Jeri) Gaines of Bedford               

His parents and siblings, Mary Guthrie, Marjorie Wright, and Jeanette Hudach, preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 7, at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Reggie Clark officiating.    Burial will be in Knott Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Saturday a Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center and from 12:30 p.m. until the service on Sunday at the church.

The grandchildren want him to be remembered as the writer and reader of the corn story.

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9 Guest Comments

  1. Guest: Paula G Lake Briner | West lafayette
    Date: February 5, 2020
    Paula I am sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
  2. Guest: Karen Reuter | Nokomis, Florida
    Date: January 5, 2018
    Many fond memories- a great person will be missed! Karen Reuter and Family
  3. Guest: Vanessa Hinkle | Omaha, NE
    Date: January 4, 2018
    Pasty, Joe, Jimmy and family - I am so sorry for your loss. HE was a great husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.Love to you all.
  4. Guest: Heidi Cobb | Bedford Ind
    Date: January 4, 2018
    So sorry for your loss! He was a special kind of man!
  5. Guest: Dawn (Sissy Burton) Ribelin | Indianapolis, In.
    Date: January 3, 2018
    Patsy- I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Roland. I will keep you and your family in my prayers....love you
  6. Guest: Rev. Dr. Steve Gorman | Salem, IN
    Date: January 3, 2018
    Patsy, so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
  7. Guest: Mary Lagle | Mitchell
    Date: January 3, 2018
    Roland was a gentle kind christian man, loved his wife,children,grandchildren,and great-grandchildren,Heaven gained a great one! Gerry and Pauline Lagle
  8. Guest: Brent Pinnick | Paoli, IN
    Date: January 3, 2018
    Great memories of Boy Scout adventures with Mr. Gaines! I was also a classmate of Jimmy's.
  9. Guest: Connie Stoll | Loogootee, IN
    Date: January 3, 2018
    Dear Patsy and Sammy, keeping you in my prayers at the passing of your loved one. May God be with each of you.