Robert Benjamin “Zeke” Gaines

Oct. 20, 1926 – Oct. 16, 2006

Robert Benjamin “Zeke” Gaines, 79, was born October 20, 1926, to O.R. and Mary Ann (Finch) Gaines in South Bend, Ind. He died Monday, October 16, 2006, at 6:25 p.m. in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Robert was the eleventh of 12 children, Willie Ida, Alice, Theresa, Wilma, Lucille, Naomi, Mary Jane, Margaret, Catherine, Raymond and William. Robert accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized at Pilgrim Baptist Church, and remained active until his death.

On June 22, 1957, he married Alberta (Winnie) Thomas in South Bend at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Connerue and Wilma Dorsey. To this union he was blessed with two sons and two daughters. Robert attended South Bend schools and graduated from Central High School on May 31, 1944. He graduated from IUSB in 1976.

On September 7, 1944, he joined the Army. He was honorably discharged on January 28, 1947, at Fort Sheridan, Ill. He spent 15 months overseas in the Marianas and on Okinawa. Robert worked for Studebaker, Rockwell International and last Bendix (Honeywell) until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, O.R. and Mary Ann Gaines; brother, Raymond; and sisters, Willie Ida, Alice Coldmon, Theresa Aldridge, Lucille Boyd, Catherine Williams, Wilma Dorsey and Margaret Abrams.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Alberta (Winnie); children, Dennis (Luan) Gaines of Dana Point, Calif., Cathryn (James) King of South Bend, Robert T. Gaines of South Bend and Nicole A. Gaines of Seattle, WA; eight grandchildren, Terrance, Michael, Matthew Sr., Ryan, Christina, Victoria, Savannah and Lacy; six great- grandchildren, Kaleigh, Matthew II, Felix, Issac, Victor and Braylon; two sisters, Mary Jane Carter and Noami Miller of St. Louis, MO; and a brother, William C.Gaines of South Bend; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Robert was active in the VFW, coaching little league, bowling for the former Seeley’s ma and pa boot shop and the Weiter Pontiac Rockwell Leagues. He enjoyed fishing with his wife. Robert’s greatest joy the last few years has been watching his great-grandsons grow.

Visitation services for Mr. Robert Gaines will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct.20, in the Clark-O’Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services for Mr. Robert B. Gaines will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 21, in the Pilgrim Baptist Church, 116 Birdsell St. Burial will follow funeral services at Highland Cemetery. The Clark-O’Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

04/04/2025 EJS