Kiara Nicole McCaine

Kiara Nicole McCaine, 17, of Lincoln, went to meet Jesus on January 29, 2024 at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
Visitation will be from 2-5 PM Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Open Arms Church Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10 AM Monday, February 12, also at Open Arms. Burial will follow in Zion Cemetery. Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home has been entrusted with her care.

Kiara was born December 12, 2006, in Lincoln, the daughter of Jessie and Vesta (Slayton) McCaine. She was a Junior at Lincoln Community High School. Kiara was an active member of Open Arms Youth. She had a strong faith and she wasn’t afraid to talk about it. Her social media accounts often featured scriptures and religious poems or sayings. She was the brightest light. Joy radiated from her beautiful smile. Kiara was a free spirit, a hippie, a lover, a talented artist and always showed kindness. She was a fierce protector of her siblings, cousins, and friends. She always stood up for the underdog and was bold about her choice to choose kindness and forgiveness. Her petite frame was no match for her quick, sarcastic wit. She was always playing pranks. Kiara was stylish without being arrogant or conceited. She was a blessing to everyone who knew her. Our world is a little darker without her beautiful light.

Survivors include her mom and dad Jessie and Vesta McCaine; siblings Jessilyn McCaine, Raigan McCaine, and Jessie McCaine; maternal grandparents William and Carolyn Slayton; paternal grandparents Darrell and Patty Benedict; aunts and uncles: John “JC” and Krista Cronin, Stephanie Slayton, Thomas Slayton, Samantha and Billy Gandolfi, Angela and Tony Lascola, Kayla Wright, Alisha Jones, Sheena Kosman, Cheryl Meyer, and Shayne McCaine; cousins: Kaitlynn Tutter and Ethan Copeland, Taylor Gandolfi and Dreyden Pozsgai, Tony Gandolfi, Kaydence Gandolfi, Madison and Aaron Bahn, Tony Lascola, Aaron Kuznik, Baylee Cronin, Syrenity Cronin, Beckham Cronin, Beau Altshue, Harlyn Nicole, Haislee Pozsgai, Ada Bahn and Arthur Bahn. Several other cousins, extended family members, and friends also survive as well as her feline friends Luna and Alien.

She was preceded in death by her maternal great grandparents Richard and Frances Curtis and Bill and Patricia Slayton, paternal great grandfather John Cronin, and canine companions Chico and Rica.

Memorial donations may be made to the family in care of Vesta McCaine to go towards purchasing her headstone.