Thomas L. Gainey

Thomas “Gus” L. Gainey, 92, of Orion, passed away Monday, August 22, 2022, at Allure of Geneseo.

A memorial visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2022, at the Orion United Methodist Church.  A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church, inurnment will be at the Western Township Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by Orion American Legion Post #255.  Memorials may be made to the Orion United Methodist Church or to Honor Flight of the Q.C.  Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Orion is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gus was born on November 3, 1929, in Colona Township, Illinois, the son of Guy and Martha Miller Gainey.  He married Nancy K. Westerlund on October 24, 1952, in Orion.

Gus was an Air Force Veteran serving from 1951-1954.  He was a longtime farmer in the Orion area.  He was also employed with Clark Feed & Supply in Orion, NBC in Cambridge, and AGH of Orion where he was part owner.  Gus was an active member of the Orion United Methodist Church, the Orion American Legion Post #255, the Orion Masonic Sherman Lodge, and the Orion Order of the Eastern Star.  In his younger years he enjoyed bowling and playing baseball he was also a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan.  Gus was an excellent woodworker and was a member of a 50-year card club group of friends.  He was also very proud of having been an Honor Flight attendee.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy; sons, Ty (Pam) Gainey of Orion, Grant (Rhonda) Gainey of Orion, Neil (Rena) Gainey of Eldridge, Iowa and Kurt (Mary) Gainey of Moline, 10 granddaughters, 17 great grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Nichols of Sun City, Arizona and a brother, Gene (Jeanne) Gainey of Yuma, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Mervin and Darrell “Diz” Gainey and a sister, Loretta Hallquist.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.