Rochelle

Phillip M. Rainwater, 32, died Monday, March 10, 2014. Phillip was born November 23, 1981 in DeKalb, Illinois to Darrell and Lisa (Plumley) Rainwater. He proudly served for four years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Tortuga and USS Iwo Jima. He went into basic training soon after he graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 2001 and graduated into the service one week before the events of 9/11 happened. He ended his military career by helping with the humanitarian efforts following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005. Phillip loved exploring the world and got to see a lot of it during his military service and beyond. He loved taking pictures and enjoyed talking about his experiences with people. He majored in sociology at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois and was active on campus, including being a part of a group called Students and Professors Exploring All Cultures. Phillip went to Mexico during two summers as part of a mission team that witnessed to natives and worked on school buildings. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois.

Phillip is survived by his parents, brother, Matthew (Chenon) Rainwater, seven aunts and uncles: Janna (Don) Hunt, Mark Plumley, Todd Plumley, Marcie (Dan) Gailey, Rita (Ron) Sutherland, Tom Rainwater and Lee Rainwater; niece, Ashley, nephew, Marcus, and seven cousins.

A joint graveside service for Phillip and his father, Darrell, will be held 1:00 P.M., Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Trinity Memory Gardens with Chaplains Gary and Donna Van Hoesen officiating. Memorials may be made in honor of Phillip to the VFW Post 3878.