Charles Rainey, 94, of Salem passed away peacefully on April 28th, 2025. Charles was an educator for more than 30 years in East Moline, Illinois. He and Minta moved to Salem Illinois in 1992 to take care of Minta’s mother, Grace Rich. He was an active member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Salem volunteering wherever he was needed. He and Minta were volunteers through the UMC helping work in disaster areas, mostly in Florida, and volunteering at the Midwest Missions Distribution Center near Chatham, Illinois. Also, in retirement, Charles loved to make stained glass art and gardening.
Cremation rites will be accorded per family wishes. A celebration of life will be held at 5:00 pm on May 10th, 2025, at the Salem Grace United Methodist Church. Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home, PO Box 97 / 310 N. Broadway, Salem, Illinois 62881, is honored to be of service to Charles’ family at this time. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.
He is survived by his son: Todd Rainey of Bluffton, Ohio; daughter-in-law: Mary Sue Rainey; grandson: Thomas Rainey, wife Ashleigh, and their children Gideon and Felicity Rainey; granddaughter: Beth Hallee, husband Dan, and their children Lillian and Brian Hallee; sister-in-law: Shirley Rainey; and many nieces and nephews.
He was born December 14th, 1930, in Mt. Vernon to Homer and Lillian (Howe) Rainey. He would marry the love of his life, Laura Minta Rich, on February 2nd, 1952, and they would spend 72 years together till her passing in 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents: Homer and Lillian Rainey; wife: Laura Minta Rainey; son: David Rainey; 3 brothers: Edward, Floyd, and Robert; and 2 sisters: Lois and Elvadean.
