Robert is survived by:

His son Steven M. Rainey and Steve’s family – his wife Cindy, his son Michael, his daughter Valerie and Valerie’s husband Jacob.

His daughter Carol Ann Buchert and Carol’s family – her husband Bruce and her sons Chase and Adam.

His half-sister Eva Knob

Several nieces, nephews and their families

Robert was preceded in death by:

      His brothers Leland Rainey and Cletus Rainey

      His sister June Richards

      His half-brother Larry Robertson

Visitation will be at Hughey Funeral Home, 1314 Main St., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday January 18, 2025.

The funeral service will be from 12:30 pm to approximately 1:30 pm in the same location and date.  Robert’s niece Barb Ortgiesen will officiate the spiritual portion of the funeral service.

The graveside service will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, North Route 37 at 2:00 pm also on Saturday, January 18, 2025.  Robert’s nephew Mark Ritchey will be officiating at the gravesite.

A reception to follow will be held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church adjacent to the cemetery starting at 2:30 pm.

If parties wish to contribute, the family requests that in lieu of flowers please make a donation in Robert K. Rainey’s name to one of the following organizations:

1)    Alzheimer’s Association

2)    Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

3)    American Cancer Society

While Bob was never diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he was experiencing some dementia, his sister June died from Alzheimer’s and his wife Pat died from stomach cancer; therefore, these organizations are doing great work in the fight against these diseases and helping those suffering from them.  For these reasons a contribution is particularly appropriate in Bob’s case.  Thank you!

Who was Bob Rainey:

Robert K. Rainey, “Bob” to his family and friends, was a great American, dedicated husband, proud and loving father, and a truly wonderful man.  Bob is described by his children as not just their Dad but their Hero and Rock, providing inspiration, guidance, support and leadership as required to bolster their life’s ambitions and goals. Bob was born in Mt. Vernon and was raised by his paternal grandparents James A. Rainey (Pa) and Annie N (Muckleroy) Rainey (Ma) on south tenth street with his two brothers Leland and Cletus.

Bob volunteered and became a decorated veteran in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After returning from the war, he worked at the Stove Foundry while putting himself through school to achieve his associate’s degree in education.

One day Bob ventured into the Murphy’s department store on the South side of the square and met the love of his life, Patricia Anne Eiler (Pat or Patty), who was a salesclerk working at Murphys. First, he bought some Christmas lights only to return them to Patty saying they didn’t work.  After three similar trips into the store, he finally mustered up sufficient courage to ask Patty out on a real date and, lucky for Bob, she accepted. They were married on October 19th, 1957 and began an incredible life journey of love together.

On July 19, 1958, Pat gave birth to their first child, Steven Michael Rainey (Steve). Steve recalls an early childhood filled with love and wonder from both of his parents. On July 13, 1965, Pat gave birth to their daughter Carol Ann Rainey. Carol recalls so many fond memories of family activities together and the love, guidance and support that they are so grateful to have had over the years from their extraordinary parents.

Both Steve and Carol remember Norman Rockwell type Christmas memories at home with Bob teaching them how to ice skate on the frozen City Park Pond as well as annual summer vacations to Daytona Beach, Miami Beach, Hawaii, the Great Smokey Mountains, Disney World, other theme parks, as well as fun filled summer nights at the annual 4th of July carnival and fireworks celebration at the City Park near their home.  And of course, who doesn’t remember the “Snowcone Shop” on Fairfield Road complete with a “lightning bug” display!

As far as work, Bob spent most of his life in sales. He worked for and was a partner in the Guy Wood Insurance Agency for many years. He later sold cars earning numerous “top salesman” awards. He worked at some local dealerships but most of his car sales experience was at Holzhauer’s in Nashville, IL.

While successful at work, Bob’s true joy and focus was his family. Whether it was taking Steve to Little League baseball games, saxophone and guitar lessons, motocross races or taking Carol to flute lessons, cheerleading at football and basketball games and gymnastic competitions. He and Pat were focused on raising their family making Steve and Carol’s lives very fulfilled as children as well as young adults, middle aged adults or……”old” adults!

Unfortunately, family bliss was shattered and some happiness torn from the Rainey family when Pat passed away much too young on September 15,1995 because of stomach Cancer. Despite having his life torn apart, Bob provided the stone solid foundation and brave example for his now adult children learning how to deal in life without their beloved mother Pat.

Bob was very proud of his children and would visit them often.  Steve – a successful test pilot in California, Bob would watch his son gain accolades as the first Air Force test pilot to fly the mighty F-22 Raptor. He would later fly numerous times with Steve in his own experimental RV-4 airplane and Steve’s backcountry-equipped Cessna 180 Skywagon. Steve recalls several trips to Venice Beach with Bob to bicycle on the Strand with lunch stops and beer pitstops.  He would venture with Steve and his family through the many amazing sites of California during numerous visits over the years.

On July 3, 1992, Steve and his lovely wife Cindy welcomed their first child Michael Steven Rainey into the world and on September 1, 1993, they welcomed their daughter Valerie Lynn Rainey into the world. Bob loved his grandchildren and was fortunate enough to participate in both of their High School graduations.

Likewise, Bob was incredibly proud of his daughter Carol, an educated and trained medical technologist who would master her world and rapidly become a President and cofounder of a medical device and IVD company in Minnesota. On May 23, 2001, Carol gave birth to her first son Chase and on October 23, 2005, Carol’s second son Adam joined the world.  Bob would routinely visit Carol and her family in Minnesota, joining them for so many memorable Christmas celebrations together and at their lake cabin for lovely summer days filled with boating and fishing and evenings filled with family joy playing with his grandsons Chase and Adam!

Over the years Bob provided his family with strength as the patriarch, rock and foundation of the family as well as inspiration and most of all adoration and love!

Unfortunately, on January 13, 2025, Bob succumbed to multiple internal organ issues and failures. He is still with us in spirit along with Pat providing their children and grandchildren with continued inspiration and love……but he is missed terribly, and Steve and Carol want everyone to know that their Dad was simply the best dad ever, their inspiration, their hero and their rock.  “We Love you Dad always and forever!”

Today as we mourn the loss of Bob Rainey, let us also celebrate his life – a truly great one!