Estel Russell Gaines

June 23, 1924- March 27, 2016

Estel Russell Gaines was the first-born son (second child) of John and Mildred (Swank) Gaines. He passed away at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash. on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 after a short illness. He was born in Hartline, Wash. on June 23, 1924. Estel attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in the Baird District through the eighth grade then attended high school in Coulee City, Wash. He also drove school bus for one year. Estel farmed with his Father on the family ranch for several years then moved to Spokane, Wash. where he had a floor sanding business and sanded floors for the army base, but he always returned to the family farm to help at harvest time. He later moved to Moses Lake, but made mobile homes in the Yakima area for five years. He was head custodian for the Moses Lake school district for ten years then retired. Estel was always very active and didn’t like retirement very well and worked for Best Western Motel for another ten years.

Estel married Robin Henry on June 24, 2006.

He is survived by his wife Robin Gaines in the family home; his sisters Valaria Beck of Spokane, Wash. and Verdonna Gaines Marse of Wenatchee, Wash.; many nieces and nephews and four stepchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Ralph Gaines and sister Patricia Hannahs.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016 at Ephrata Cemetery. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, Wash.