George E "Gene" Haines

Fort Wayne – George E "Gene" Haines, 85, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025 at Saint Anne Retirement Home in Fort Wayne. He was born December 17, 1939 in Dixon, Illinois to George W and Ada L (Gatz) Haines. Gene was a 48-year member of Grabill Missionary Church, serving on the elder board and as a trustee, choir member, and praise team singer. An accomplished soloist, he sang in well over 100 weddings and funerals. Gene attended Manchester College and played football. For many years he held the Manchester record for the longest punt return, as well as a weightlifting record. His early days were spent on the farm in Illinois. As only a farmer could appreciate, Gene was always commenting how straight the rows of crops were in a farmer's field (we all knew his rows were the straightest around). In 1977, he moved to Indiana as a Territory Manager for New Idea Farm Equipment. He later retired after working for Furman Steury Contractor, Inc and Walt Lengacher Construction for over 20 years. Since coming to Indiana, Gene was a loyal IU basketball fan and an avid Indianapolis Colts fan. Gene could always be found in the stands, home and away, cheering on his grandkids in baseball, softball, wrestling, football, soccer, tennis, track, gymnastics, cheerleading, and basketball. In one summer, he watched his grandsons and granddaughter in over 100 Little League baseball and softball games. One of Gene's proudest accomplishments was skydiving at the age of 83 with his grandson, a US Army Green Beret. The story of his jump made the Fort Wayne evening news and was his 15 minutes of fame. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn J "Jeannie" (Wisner) Haines. They were married June 25, 1960 in the Church of the Brethren in Polo, Illinois, and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Also surviving are 2 daughters and son-in-law, Sheri and Jeff Burns and Susan Haines; 6 grandchildren, Tyler (Mallory) Burns, Mitchell (Maryann) Burns, Olivia (Joseph) Elder, Zachary Steury, Joshua Steury and Isaac (Melissa) Steury; 7 great grandchildren, Cooper Cook, Reese Burns, Emma Burns, Anneke Burns, Oliver Burns, Calvin Steury and Eleanor Steury; 2 sisters, Eleanor Moats and Evelyn Colehour; sister-in-law, Charlotte Haines. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister (Marlene Pease), and brother (Charles Haines). Services will be 2 PM Saturday October 11, 2025 at Grabill Missionary Church in Grabill. Calling is 2 hours prior to the service Saturday from 12 to 2 PM at the church. Burial will follow the service in Leo Cemetery in Leo. Memorials can be given in memory of Gene to Grabill Missionary Church. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George E "Gene" Haines, please visit our floral store.