John "Jack" Rain

Dateline: Alton John C. “Jack” Rain, 90, died at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at Alton Memorial Hospital. Born at home on Elm Street on September 25, 1923, he was the son of the late Clifford C. and Eleanor (Rice) Rain. Mr. Rain was the co-owner of the family grocery store Rain and Rain Grocery. He began working at the store at age 8 and continued until his retirement in 1989. Jack graduated from Alton High School and later from University of Missouri, Columbia where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge on December 23, 1944, and remained imprisoned until April 4, 1945. On December 27, 1946 he married the former Betty M. (Benz) Haycraft in Alton. She survives. Together they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary two days after Christmas. Mr. Rain was a longtime member of Elm Street Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder. He was currently a member of College Avenue Presbyterian Church in Alton. He was a member of the A-Men Group of Alton High School, the Alton VFW Post 1308, The Shriners International, and a founding member of the North Alton Business Men Group now known as the North Alton Godfrey Business Council. Along with his wife he is survived by two sons, John C. Rain Jr. of Godfrey and Daniel C. Rain of Godfrey, two grandchildren, Rachel Catanzaro (Nick) of Godfrey, and John Clifford Rain III of Alton, two great grandchildren, Benjamin and Noah Catanzaro, and his sister-in-law, Nadine Rain of Godfrey. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter-in-law, Kathie Rain and a brother, William “Bill” Rain. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2014 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton followed by funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014. Burial will be private at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey with full military honors by the VFW Post 1308. Reverend C. Dale Jackson and Reverend George H. Humbert Jr. will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or the College Avenue Presbyterian Church. PDF Printable Version

Tributes

John "Jack" Rain

September 25, 1923 - January 7, 2014