Thomas L. Gaines

Thomas L. Gaines, 77, of Heyworth, passed away Monday, January 4, 2021 at his home.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday, January 8, 2021 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bloomington. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center.

He was born June 20, 1943 in Bloomington, a son of Donald and Ruth Delaney Gaines. He married Karen L. Ahrendt on July 17, 1965 and she survives in Heyworth.

Also surviving are four children, Tim Gaines of Abingdon, VA, Angie (Ed) Hinshaw of Bloomington, Donnie (Gina) Gaines of Heyworth and Tonya (Roger) Beeler of Gilbert, AZ; 12 grandchildren, Joshua, Jordan (Korima) and Sarah Gaines, Dana and Gage (Jessica) Andrews, Justin, Matt and Chad Hinshaw, Zachary (Tayler) Gaines and Morgan (Sam) Asmus and Brianna and Ashley Beeler; 9 great-grandchildren, Gracie and Ava Gaines, Madalynn, Braylon, Rylin and Cantan Andrews, Addie and Jayci Gaines and Brantley Beeler; and three sisters, Sandy (Greg) Harmon of Wapella, Patti Hursh of Bloomington and Judy (Jim) Tilton of Fargo, ND.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Gaines.

Tom served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division as a Military Policeman. He enjoyed a long career at Firestone/Bridgestone, retiring after 45 years of employment. A lifelong car enthusiast, Tom loved restoring old cars and drag-raced with Victory Nostalgia Super Stockers. His greatest accomplishment was his family and he relished nothing more than his roles as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother.