Obituary of Joseph Matthew Rainey

Joseph Matthew Rainey, beloved husband, friend, father and grandfather passed away

May 3, 2025 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 83. He was born on August

13, 1941 in Cicero, Illinois to Alma (Kotek) and Frank Rainey. He attended Morton

High School in 1959 and went on to the University of Illinois. He enlisted in the Army in

1964 and was assigned to the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston,

Texas. From there, he continued on with medical research at Walter Reed Army

Medical Center where he worked until he was honorably discharged in 1970. He

graduated with a degree from University of Maryland and moved to Midland, Michigan in

1971. He received his Masters Degree in Psychology from Central Michigan and an

MSW from The University of Michigan. He spent his career as a Behavioural Medicine

Administrator and Psychotherapist in Michigan from 1974-2018. He was a member of

the American Legion, a proud Veteran, National Association of Social Workers, Board of

Examiners of Social Workers in Lansing and many other organizations. He was proud of

his contributions to the world of Mental Health.

 

Joe was blessed to have had so many friends over the years in Chicago, Washington

D.C, Midland, Saginaw and Frankenmuth Michigan. The longest friendship has been

Richard Osborn from 1977 and they met for lunch every month. His most close and

loving relationship since 1999 has been Patricia Hughes, the love of his life. He loved

staying in touch by phone with his two daughters every week.

 

He is survived by his wife Patricia Hughes, his loving daughters Jessica (Rainey)

Becker and Hilary Rainey, grandchildren Zachary and Tyler Becker and son in law Brent

Becker as well as many friends and associates.

 

Those planning on expression of sympathy are asked to consider Memorial

Contributions to Joe’s favorite organizations, Wicksom Library of Frankenmuth or Olli at

Saginaw Valley State University. These are organizations that he really enjoyed. A

sincere thank you goes out to Health Source and Wellspring Lutheran Home and

Hospice for all the loving care that Joe received. To sign online guestbook,

visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.

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