Nancy L. Rainer, 81 of Granite City, Illinois, and formerly of Madison, Illinois passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022, at Garden View Care Center in Valley Park, Missouri.
Nancy was born on March 10, 1941, in Granite City; the daughter of the late Chester and Gertrude (Bilyeu) McManaway. She graduated from Madison Senior High School Class of 1959 and went on to earn her Bachelors of Education Degree from SIU-E in 1963 and a Masters in Ed from the University of Illinois in 1967. Nancy began her 33-year teaching career with Granite City District 9 at Wilson School where she taught 5th grade from 1963 to 1968 and then taught 4th and 5th grades at Frohardt School from 1968 until her retirement in 1996. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, the American and Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the Granite City Federation of Teachers. Nancy was a member of Unity Baptist Church and a 48-year member of Third Baptist Church in Granite City. In her free time, Nancy enjoyed her days working word search puzzles, shopping, going to lunch with her girlfriends, and killing plants. Most of all, Nancy enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and will be remembered for all the special times they shared together.
Nancy is survived by and will be missed by her daughters; Amy and Greg Sears of Festus, MO; Sara and Ron Shirley of Perkins, OK; grandchildren, Annabelle Sears of Festus, MO, Ronnie Shirley of Perkins, OK, Josephine Shirley of Perkins, OK and many other close friends who were like family.
In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Rainer, whom she married on August 25, 1973.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City. In celebration of Nancy’s life, funeral services will be held on Friday, March 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Unity Baptist Church, 2500 St. Claire Ave. in Granite City with Pastor Jarad Corzine officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon. Memorial donations are suggested to Unity Baptist Church.
