John Cecil Gaines

John Cecil Gaines, 88 – a lifetime resident of Plymouth, passed away April 5, 2024 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Born on February 12, 1936 in Plymouth, he was the son of John Thomas and Ada Ruth (Watkins) Gaines.

John proudly served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1964.

He worked in maintenance at Liberty Coach for a number of years, retiring in 2001. John was a faithful member of Shiloh Wesleyan Church. Throughout the years, he helped with various projects and maintenance around the church.

John is remembered by his family for his ornery personality that made him the jokester of the family; even pranking his brother-in-law Mel in his younger years by putting onions in his denture case. John always had a loving and easy-going demeanor about him. His family will carry on the kindness he always showed to others.

There’s many fond memories throughout the years of family vacations. He loved going out west to visit the Badlands or Mount Rushmore. In his retirement, Jan and he spent many winters in Florida.

In his free time, John was an avid fisherman. He looked forward to fishing with his sons, Randy and William, and attending walleye fishing tournaments. He also loved playing different card games and getting together with friends and family to try to win. On a warm, sunny day, you would often find Jan and John riding around town on their golf cart enjoying the weather.  

John will be dearly missed by his wife, Jan; children, Randall (Colleen) Gaines, and his children, Ashton and Aaron, and William (Jodie) Gaines, and his children, Bryttenny (Matthew) Sands, Blake (Sandy) and Cassandra (Natasha) O’Hara; step-children, Debbie (Steve) Keen, and their children, Jordan, Noah, and Katie and Barbara Sommers (Troy), and her children, MiKayla and Jennifer (Garret); and great-grandson, Oliver. John’s step-son James Coburn preceded him in death, but his daughter, Bianca survives. He will also be missed by his nieces and nephews; John was a father-figure to them and they loved him deeply.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ada; and siblings, Charles, Maudie, Norma Jean, Evalena, Minerva, Goldie, Herbert, Clara and Margaurite.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 12-2PM at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2PM with Pastor Diana Riddle officiating.

Burial will take place at New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.

In honor of John, memorial contributions can be made to Shiloh Wesleyan Church, 10532 4B Rd, Plymouth, IN 46563 and The Gideons International, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090.