Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory

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(262) 552-9000

George John Rainey

Jan 24, 1966 – Jun 20, 2020

Service Details

CELEBRATION OF GEORGE’s LIFE WILL BE HELD:

Sunday, June 6, 2021 from 1:00 – 6:00 pm at Smolenski Park (438 S. Stuart Road    Mt. Pleasant, WI   53406)

REMEMBER – All attendees will be required not to come sad!

Memorial Suggestions

In memory of George, offer a kind deed to someone in need. For those who wish, cards & condolences may be sent to the funeral home to be forwarded on to Michelle, Allie & Jenna.

Racine- George John Rainey, age 54, passed away on Saturday morning, June 20th 2020 following a three month struggle with a double lung infection.

George was born in La Grange, IL on January 24th, 1966 to the late George L. and JoAnn (nee: Dent) Rainey. He was a high school graduate of Lyons Township where he played football and basketball. He then attended UW-Whitewater where he was an All-American running back. George continued playing professional football in Italy; semi-pro football with the DuPage Eagles (winning two national championships); and finished his football career playing with the Racine Raiders.

While in school at UW-Whitewater, George met the love of his life, Michelle Wickler. George and Michelle relocated to the Racine area to start their careers with Racine County – Michelle to serve our community as a social worker and George, a deputy with the Racine County Sheriff’s Department. They were united in marriage November 4th, 1995. They served as foster parents prior to having their beautiful daughters. George was a well-respected deputy for 23 years, where he was a devoted member of the SWAT team. For placing the lives of others before himself, he was awarded the “Medal of Valor” in 2004. He was also awarded the “Exemplary Officer Award” in 2003 and the “Award of Excellence” in 2006. He celebrated his retirement with a family vacation to sunny Key West, Florida in January 2019.

Among his interests, George enjoyed fishing, family trips to Wisconsin Dells, watching politics but never sharing his point of view, and watching Da Bears. He also especially enjoyed watching his daughters play sports, and spending time around their backyard pool and could be found in the lower level of the home, which was dedicated to his SWAT and Chicago Bears memorabilia and an extensive collection of Allie and Jenna’s school art projects from over the years. George’s life revolved happily surrounded by estrogen, – his “girls” were his everything.

Surviving are his loving wife of over 24 years, Michelle Rainey who George affectionately called “Mik”; their treasured daughters, Alexandria Marie “Allie” Rainey (Lorenzo Rodriquez) & Jenna JoAnn Rainey (Jose Becerra); Michelle’s parents, Edward and Aryls Wickler; sisters-in-law, Kim (Robert) Gosh and Lianne Rainey; nieces and nephews; Sophie and Quinn Rainey; Samantha (Haydon) Beecroft and Nicholas Gosh (Ali Talady); many other dear relatives and friends- including his brothers and sisters of the Racine County Sheriff’s Dept. In addition to his parents, George was preceded by his brother, Charles “Chuck” Rainey (of whom died at the young age of 53 on March 28th, 2020).

Thank you everyone for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers…and for reaching out to all of us with messages, cards, flowers, gifts, hugs, calls and kind words. 

CELEBRATION OF GEORGE’s LIFE WILL BE HELD:

Sunday, June 6, 2021 from 1:00 – 6:00 pm at Smolenski Park (438 S. Stuart Road    Mt. Pleasant, WI   53406)

REMEMBER – All attendees will be required not to come sad!

Guestbook Entries

  1. Carol McGilsky says

    My deepest condolences to all of you and I’m hoping for brighter days ahead for you.

  2. LeRoy Keenan and Kim Davis says

    My condolences and prayers for your healing. My father LeRoy Keenan will miss him dearly. Your family’s dedication and love was a huge part of his life. The kindness and compassion he brought and conversation will be missed.

  3. Lily Guentzel says

    I’m so grateful I got the time that I did to spend with your dad and your family growing up, it was always the best times when we got to go to the Rainey’s. George and Michelle always made sure we had a blast and we were always laughing, we made memories with them that I’ll never forget. I’m so sorry for your loss❤️

  4. Sue Berg says

    I can’t help but laugh remembering George trying to sing Whitney Houston’s “I will always love you”. those high notes were glass breaking. Knowing George from the football field with the DuPage Eagles, with his contagious laugh and brutal skills on the field. He was a friend and a brother and he always had my back. Known as one of the “Baby Bulls”, he will forever be etched in my mind. Much love! RIP my friend!

  6. Bill Schulte says

    My deepest sympathies for the loss of your loving husband and father. George was also a fabulous teammate, but my fondest memories come from our time working on the grounds crew at Whitewater. He made the long hours go by quickly with his wit and charm! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  8. Betty Olsen says

    My condolences to you and your family. This is such a shock. George was a great friend and an outstanding person. I am grateful to have known him. He will never be forgotten.

  9. Daris J Hodges says

    My sincerest condolences to the family of George John Rainey. May God strengthen you during your time of need.

  13. Anonymous says

    Hello Rainey Family,
    My name is Mark Streff and had the pleasure of playing under the player leadership of George who was our Lyons Township HS Football Captain. He was a GREAT man and great friend and great competitor. So sad to hear this news. He will be missed. Thank you!

  17. Colleen Jones says

    My deepest sympathy. He seemed like such a nice man. Always a smile on his face.

  18. Jenny Evancy says

    My sincere condolences for your family; I am praying for you all during this difficult time. He sounds like a very special man.

  20. Mary Murry says

    Prayers and condolences to the family of George Rainey. May God comfort you and give you continued strength.

  21. Arthur D Davis says

    RIH George

    You are with your mother and Father,, brother Charles. Your Grandparents!
    One big Happy family United in heaven .
    Happy Day .

  22. MAK says

    My condolences to the family! The Rainey family was some of the best LaGrange had and blessed the world with.

  23. Jon Buralli says

    We are so sorry to hear about George. Went to High School with him. He was always nice to everyone. Our condolences to all of his family.

  25. Michael & Sandra Gosh $ Family says

    Our deepest condolences for Michelle and the girls during this time. May he RIP . You will be missed but never forgotten!

  26. mark peterson says

    I was on the coaching staff at UWW. George was such a positive person with a warm and beautiful smile. He was always so great to be around. I am looking forward to his life celebration

  28. Linda Peet says

    My heart hurts for my dear friend and his wonderful family. We will always be family and even though some days I will shed tears, I will also have laughter through tears for all the great memories.

  31. Anonymous says

    My condolences to your family. I went to high school with George—what a great guy he was then and a great man he became.

  32. MaryEllen Aschauer says

    Michelle, my heart breaks for you and the girls and for Racine. He was one of 100s of thousands of the great men & women of LE. He will be missed. XOXO

  34. Rich Chiapete says

    Michelle,

    You and the girls are in my thoughts and my prayers. George always brought a smile to my face!

    Rich

  35. P. Payne says

    George and I were in the police academy together. His duty in life was “to serve and protect.” He loved his family and the community he served. He will be missed.

  36. Aubrie and Beth Verbeten(RYS volleyball team member) says

    Our thoughts are with you…so sorry for your family’s loss.

  38. Ronnie "Sho-Tyme " Spates says

    My deepest condolences and prayers go with the family on the loss of a loved one George was a great person a great teammate an even better man he will be deeply missed.

  39. Leroy Visor says

    Sorry to hear about George I worked with George for a few years on the Sheriffs Dept.
    to the family you have my condolences

  41. Mario Hill says

    Love you ladies!! Thank you for sharing your angel with me!!! My heart and prayers are with you!!

  43. Cheri Kardas says

    May God Bless you and your family. May you Rest in Peace. I’m glad I got to know you.

  45. Vickie Davidenko says

    To his family and all of his friend’s, sorry for the loss he was a great man. I’m sending rocket prayer’s and my deepest condolences. R.I.P George😔

  46. Joe, Jennifer, Abigail says

    Michelle, Allie, Jenna-
    We have many great memories of the 4th of July parades and get togethers we had. We were so looking forward to that again. George’s smile, laugh and complaining will be cherished by us forever. We were blessed to have known and be friends of “Rainey” Our Love to you.

  48. Marcine Barnes says

    George you always cheered everyone up around you. Always in a good mood,a fantastic personality,an awesome athlete..
    R.I.P My friend.
    My dearest condolences to your family,friends.
    Marcine Barnes. Class of 1984
    Lyonstownship Hugh school..

  52. Lynn Kay Nienas says

    Michelle – I was stunned and saddened to see that George has passed away. I am so sorry for your loss. Whenever I think of George, I always remember his smile and his laugh. He will be so missed. I will keep you and the girls in my prayers.

  53. Anonymous says

    I’M SORRY FOR YOUR LOST and praying for u all the Blands. We love u a lot and keeping touch Sherry ,Saleena, Yolanda God blessed. We will never forget u all love always ❤

  54. The Blands says

    We love u yall I was hurt today to hear that George had passed away We like to keep in touch love u and miss u all God is yet good Be blessed❤❤

  55. Eric Frazier says

    A great man, a great teammate, a great father and friend. Michelle you and the girls stay strong.

  56. Glenn C. Hayes, UW-W Band Director says

    I offer my most sincere condolences to the Rainey family. I had the great joy of watching George play football at UW-Whitewater. His energy, commitment, leadership and smile will always be remembered and honored.

  57. Doug Struckman says

    My deepest condolences to you and your family. George was a high school teammate. He was a tremendous person and competitor. He was our leader. We all looked up to him.

  58. Gretchen Rosenke says

    So sorry Michelle. What a great guy. You and your daughters are in my thoughts and prayers. Be well.

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Testimonials

January 9, 2025

Michael,

First, let me start out by saying you were a God sent working with me for many years in preparations for my mom’s Homegoing Celebration December 7, 2024.  Even though this was our first time meeting in person, I felt like I already knew you.  Michael, you demonstrated  professionalism, empathy and, your warmth was surprising for me considering your role as a Funeral Director. Your attention to every detail, patient and support has made this process much easier for my family and me. I trusted you and you helped me find closure in a moment of great sadness, and for that we’re eternally grateful. I appreciate the time and energy you put into ensuring everything ran smoothly considering I reside in a different state.  Michael, my mom would have loved you and our family is forever grateful for your unwavering dedication and support during our season of grief.  May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. (Numbers 6:25)

Valerie Tucker and the Family of Barbara Bell

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