David “Dave” Sanford Gaines, 66, of Cherry Valley, Illinois, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019, at his home in Cherry Valley.

Dave was born April 8, 1953, in San Diego, California, to Harold and Lois (Haverstock) Gaines. He graduated from Morris High School in 1972. Following graduation, Dave enlisted into the United States Army and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1978. On Feb. 7,

1981, he married Mary Ann Weber in Belvidere, Illinois. Dave worked in auto assembly for Chrysler as an auto mechanic and a skilled tradesman for production equipment. In 1998, he moved back to the Austin area from Illinois and started his own drywall and remodeling business. Dave loved everything about NASCAR, from watching and going to races, cheering on his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, to collecting NASCAR memorabilia. He also enjoyed camping and being a member of the American Legion. Dave will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Ann Gaines of Cherry Valley; son, David Gaines II of Rockford, Illinois; two daughters, June (Brian) Roberts of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Angela (Bruce) Coleman of Cherry Valley; four grandchildren, Kendra Hyser, Miranda Corcoran, Alaina Coleman and Brandon Gaines; four great-grandchildren, Brayden, Braxton, Brody and Ashton; two brothers, Frank (Pamela) Henn of Missouri and Brian (Diane) Henn of El Reno, Oklahoma; and two sisters, Toni of California and Dottie (Keith) Schrieber of Denver, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lois Gaines; sister, Joy Paynter; granddaughter, Kayla Jo Hyser; son-in-law, Steve Wheeler; father-in-law, Elmer Weber; and mother-in-law, Patricia Weber.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery in rural Austin. Memorials are preferred to the family. Services are prearranged and performed with Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.