Glenn Raines | 80 | Mt. Sterling

Glenn Allen Raines, age 80, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois passed away at 5:55 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois.
He was born Feb. 25, 1944 in Louisburg, Kansas the third son of L. Clifford and Lillie May Wilson Raines.
Mr. Raines attended Louisburg, Kansas grade schools and graduated from Louisburg High School with the class of 1962.  He then studied at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor of Applied Science.
Glenn was a veteran of the Vietnam War having served his country in the United States Air Force for four years.  After working at both South Dakota and Michigan State Universities in research fields, he returned to Manhattan, Kansas to earn a master’s of science degree in Agriculture.
He was then chosen by the university to help choose, set up and run a research station in Western Illinois, the Orr Research Center, where he served Western Illinois farmers for 25 years, retiring in 2003. Glenn was instrumental in pairing John Wood Community College and the University of Illinois in partnership to create the Orr Education and Agriculture Center in Pike County, Illinois.   He then taught classes part time for John Wood Community College for several years before fully retiring.
In 1981, he married Linda Barrett Rensch, and together they raised her three children Stacie, Christian and James Rensch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Lester C. Raines, his step daughter Stacie Rensch Ellis, his in-laws William and Alice Barrett and a brother-in-law Jurl Southerland.
He is survived by his wife Linda Raines and two step sons, Chris and James Rensch, six grandsons, Thomas, Tyler, Wesley and Reagan Rensch, Pierson Raines Ellis and Timothy Allen Ellis. One granddaughter, Lindie McCarthy Alsdorf (Samuel); two brothers, Robert Raines (Jean) of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Earl Raines of Lovell, Wyoming; two sisters-in-law, Sue Raines of Louisburg, Kansas and Peggy Southerland of Brooklyn, Illinois; one brother-in-law, Thomas Barrett (Shirley) of Brooklyn, Illinois also survives along with many nieces and nephews.
Glenn was a devout member of the Disciples of Christ, First Christian Church most of his life, where he served as chairman of the board, elder, Sunday school superintendent and a deacon. Later in life he attended Fishhook United Brethren Church, where he served faithfully.
Some of Glenn’s greatest joys were being a grandfather and spending time with family, camping and playing cards with friends. He and his wife of 40 years, spent 17 winters in south Texas enjoying the weather, friends and eating out.
Cremation was accorded and a memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.
Inurnment followed in the Mt. Sterling City Cemetery where military honors were conducted at the graveside by the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374 and the United States Air Force Funeral Honors Detail.
Visitation was one hour prior to services on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Fishhook United Brethren Church, Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374 or the Illinois Veterans Home.
Condolences for the family may be left on line at hendrickerfuneralhome.com.
The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements.