Michael Christopher Rainey Wiebe of Newton, Kansas, was born in Wichita on July 24, 2002, to Sara Hussein Awad and Sam Rainey. Bev Wiebe brought Michael home to Florence, KS, on July 30, and cared for him as his foster parent. In 2003, Bev adopted Michael. She loved her son with unwavering devotion until her life ended on September 14, 2020.
Michael “Mike” met his untimely, tragic end on the early morning of May 7, 2023, at the age of 20 years and ten months.
From the time he was barely more than a child, Michael loved trains and planes, a love that only became stronger as he grew older. Bev, his mother, occasionally took Michael to the railroad tracks at the edge of Florence, and later to the Newton, KS, Amtrak station in the middle of the night, so that he could see the trains from the east and from the west.
He was overjoyed when he and Bev finally rode the train themselves. After Bev died, Michael grew to know the engineers and brakemen who stopped in Newton, and he made several trips, east and west, on Amtrak, simply to ride the rails.
Michael’s life was not easy. Through no fault of his own, he suffered with a brain whose signals were often confusing. In spite of this, and even after losing his mother—but with the generous support of his teachers—Michael graduated from Hesston High School in 2021. He confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized in the Good News Christian Fellowship, Marion, Kansas, where he participated actively.
Preceding Michael in death were his grandparents, Art and Ella Wiebe, his beloved mother, Bev Wiebe, and his cousin Lisa, who lived for many years as part of the family with Bev and Michael. Left to mourn are Bev’s dearest friend, Cindy Combs, who cared for Michael before and after Bev’s death; Michael’s aunt Janice Wiebe (Ben) Ollenburger; uncles, Carl (and Marcella) Wiebe, Dale (and Elizabeth) Wiebe, Glenn (and Maura) Wiebe, and Virgil Wiebe (and Susan Schmidt), and nine Wiebe cousins; Sam Rainey, his birth father, and Rainey family siblings, Casey (Cece) Donald, Armonda Rainey, Samuel Rainey, Samantha Rainey, and Jervaughn Rainey.
We grieve, but not as people who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
Donations in memory of Michael Wiebe may be sent to Good News Christian Fellowship 310 South Coble Street, Marion, KS, 66861. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on July 15th at 4:00 pm at the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston, Kansas.
*If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, please call or text the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.