Ernest Gaines

Ernest “Ernie” Grant Gaines, 77 years young of Lewistown, Montana passed away peacefully

June 26, 2022, in his home with his family by his side. Ernie was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania

and traveled with the Army before settling in Montana.



After spending 29 years in the military, he retired in September 2004. From serving his country

to hunting and fishing, tinkering in his garage, having coffee with friends. Ernie dedicated his

life to the greater good in a variety of professions.



On March 16, 1979 Ernie married the love of his life Kathy (Niday) Gaines. ln the 44 years of

marriage Ernie and Kathy raised their two children Jenni (Gaines) Stroud and Nathan Gaines.

Later in life they raised their grandchildren Katie and Grant Gaines.



Ernie is survived by his sisters Nancy Ann (Joe) Solstis and Nanna Lee (Donnie) Zapusek, wife

Kathy (Niday) Gaines, daughter Jenni (Josh) Stroud, son Nathan (Jody) Gaines, adopted son

Steven (Sam) Huston, daughter Heather (Tommy) Stark, grandchildren Madison and Matthew

Stroud, Katie and Grant Gaines, Astrid Huston, Kaitlyn and Myranda Stark and great grandson

Jaxon Strish.



Ernie was preceded in death by his grandmother Frances M. Dix, father Thomas W. Gaines V,

mother Agnes A (Dix) Gaines, brother Thomas W. Gaines Vl and son Nicholas G. Gaines.



Visitation will be held on Friday, July 1st, 2022, from 12:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. in the Cloyd Chapel.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022, at 11:00a.m. in the New Life Assembly of God

Church with committal to follow in the Lewistown City Cemetery. The Cloyd Funeral Home is

assisting the family. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.

Monetary donations may be made to the family through New Life Assembly of God Church.