Bernard H. Rains

Bernard H. “Ben” Rains, age 88, passed away at StoryPoint Fairfield on Friday, September 12, 2025. Bernard was born on April 11, 1937, to Elden Rains and Elizabeth (Mauthner) Rains. He was the oldest of five siblings, Donna (Ron) Honerlaw, Dave (Sheila) Rains, Tom (Karen) Rains, and Mary (Mike) Rains-Ivancic. Ben graduated from Hamilton-Catholic in 1955. In October of 1955, Ben enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed on the USS Sellstrom until 1959. On October 5th, 1957, at St. Stephens Catholic Church, he married his high school and forever sweetheart Helen Besanceney. After 64 years of marriage Helen preceded him in death in 2021.

Ben is survived by his children, Linda (Joe) Collins, Sandra (Mike) Lawall, Matthew (Kat Hathaway) Rains, and Christina (Carl) Walsh; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, and his two brothers.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 5:00PM - 8:00PM at Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Ave. There will be full military honors conducted at 8:00PM at the funeral home to conclude the visitation. A separate visitation will be held at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, 224 Dayton St., Hamilton, Ohio, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 9:00AM to 10:00 AM, with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00AM.