Charles Franklin Rainey

Most of this information comes from a genealogy report written by his father, George Washington Rainey, in 1939.

The sixth of seven children, Charles Franklin Rainey was born on the 11th of September 1900 at the "Old Wildwood Farm House." five miles southwest of Hillsboro, Illinois to the parents of George Washington Rainey (1861 to 1942) and Sarah Margaret Attebery (1866 to 1947). He usually went by the name Charlie.

He joined the United States Navy on the 1st of October 1918 at the University of Illinois, was released from active duty the 20th of December 1918, then served in the Navel Reserve, being given his final discharge on the 30th of Oct 1921.

Charles began working as a substitute for the United States Post Office in Hillsboro, Illinois in 1923. He received a permanent appointment in June 1924 as a letter carrier and parcel post carrier combined.

He was very active in civic affairs. Charles joined the American Legion in 1920 serving in various offices. He organized the first Sons of American Legion Squadron, was the Chaplain for seven years and served one year as the Commander. He also served the County Legion three years as Chaplain, and one year each as Historian, Adjutant, Graves Registration Chairman, and Box Scout Chairman. Charles served the 21st District of Legion for five years as Boy Scout, Child Welfare, and Sons of the American Legion Chairperson.

He worked for eleven years with the Boy Scouts, starting as scout master in 1923 and as secretary of the Boy Scout Council. He was also on the official board and a choir member of M. B. Church and the superintendent of the adult department of the Sunday School.

Charles was married on the 1st of April 1923 at Riverton, Illinois to Miss Faye Parke. She was born the 24th of September 1923 to Rev. Gye Park of Decatur, Illinois, a Methodist minister.

Charles and Faye had two children: 1. Faye Pearl Rainey (1924 to 1970) who married Donald Eugene Blunk and had two children. 2. Paul Wallace Rainey (1932) who married Virginia Dowty and had three children.

Charles passed away in September 1981 while in New Mexico. He wife, Faye, had died on the 2nd of January 1972. They were married for forty-eight years and are both buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Hillsboro, Illinois.