Harold Eugene "Spike" Gaither Obituary (1944

STANFORD - Harold Eugene "Spike" Gaither, 75, of rural Stanford, passed away at 7;55 AM on Friday, May 30., 2019 at his residence surrounded by the love and comfort of his family at his rural home. Visitation will be 2;00 PM-4:00 PM Sunday at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home at 1115 East Washington Street, Bloomington and 1 hour prior to the funeral service on Monday at the memorial home. The family has requested casual attire. Funeral services for Spike will be 11:00 AM Monday at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. Rev. Burl Cole will be officiating. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in rural Stanford. Gene was born May 27, 1944 in Bloomington, the son of Harold and Grace Gaither. He graduated from Stanford High School in 1962 where he was active in basketball, track, baseball, FFA, and student government. He married Mary Wilson. He later married Virginia Busick Jenkins on October 3, 1977. She survives. Additional survivors include five children, Jeff (Missy) Gaither, Stanford; Tom (Denise) Gaither, Woodlawn; Joe (Becky) Gaither, Stanford; Tracy Gaither, Danvers; and Billy (Pam) Gaither, Galesburg; 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gary (Lola) Gaither, Philo; one sister, Vicki (David) Proefrock, Martinez, Georgia; and three cousins, Darrel (Jane) Phelps, Plano, TX; Judy (Jim deceased) Marlett, Canton, Mississippi; and Ada Neff (Larry deceased), Armington. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins including most recently "Aunt Dolly" Delores Blazzard of Tucson, Arizona. Spike's former occupations included Caterpillar, retired GM&O Railroad, retired automotive sales, and retired baseball and softball coach of nearly 30 years. He was a lifetime member of the Angus Association and the National Rifle Association. He will be remembered as one who cared deeply about his family, had a sense of humor, and lived by a code, regularly sharing sage advice through many phrases including "burning daylight," "can't died in the poor house," "find something you love to do and do it well - you'll never work a day in your life," and "where there's a will, there's a way." He loved coaching his five children and all the other children who became our extended family along the way. Those days and years are cherished and loved. Lots of time well spent. Spike would regularly reflect on those days simply saying "I loved every minute spent with you all." He also enjoyed hunting with family and friends, and showing cattle and horses in 4-H with the kids. Memorials may be made to the Allin Township Fire & Rescue Squad (Stanford) and the Dale Township Fire & Rescue Squad (Covell) as our family's way of saying thanks for all the false fire alarm response calls over the years. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com