Richard Gainsley

This past Sunday, May 10 th Richard returned home to be with the Lord and his
adoring wife Joyce Marie. It was a beautiful day surrounded by love, laughter and
sharing memories of Richard with family and friends. Later that evening, he took
his final breaths and returned to God in what we believe to be a final Mother’s
Day gift to Joyce. Even in their passing, they maintained their devotion to each
other, as Joyce passed a day before their wedding anniversary several years ago.
Richard had a unique perspective which he shared in life and with his children and
grandchildren. A perspective we have learned to appreciate more as life moves
forward:
1. Find your person and devote your life to them. Build a marriage centered
on the Lord – strong foundations don’t crack.
2. If it works for you – take it. If it doesn’t, leave it and move on.
3. Live every day like it might be your last.
4. Don’t’ spend too much time dwelling on the past. Keep moving forward
even when you feel like you can’t.
5. Pray, go to church, and remain steadfast.
6. Go for a drive every once in a while, and make sure there’s a stop along the
way with an ice cream store.
7. Find time to sit outside, reflect and maybe watch a rainstorm roll in.
8. Your vehicle is an asset- always take the time to make sure routine
maintenance is getting done-your wheels can take you anywhere and last a
lifetime. While you’re at it – get out to a car show. Take some time to speak
with one of the vehicles owners – you might learn something new or get to
hear a great story.
9. Laugh often. Even when it’s hard, you fail, or you feel like giving up. Take
time to laugh. Always.
10. Above all else, live without regrets. Tomorrow is never promised. Be
grateful for every breath.
We will love and miss you “always and forever”, Dad and Grandpa. Every time we
see lightening in a rainstorm, we will know you made a strike with your bowling
games in heaven.

Richard is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joyce Marie and survived by his
children, Krysten Marie Gainsley and Jason Richard (Pam) Gainsley; grandchildren,
Samantha Marie Marshall, Logan Carl Marshall, Fielder Lee, Contessa Rae and
Camden Jay Gainsley; and siblings, Bill (Dodie) Gainsley, Tom Gainsley, Jan (Al)
Nighswander, Jean Gainsley, Bonnie (Bill) Simon, Jane (Ken) Neiman, with
numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws as well as his loved animals “Gracie and
Oliver”. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Donna Gainsley, sister
and brother, Sue (John) Bersueder, and John Edwin (Yvonne) Gainsley.
Visitation will be at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (Light of Christ) 222 Carey St. in
Deerfield, MI on Tuesday, May 19 th , 2026 with a viewing at the Church from
10:00am until 12:00pm, when the Funeral Mass will begin. Interment will follow
at St. Alphonsus Cemetery, with a luncheon provided after at the Church Hall.
Tributes in Richard’s name may be made to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.

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