Blain

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William (Bill) Blain (1896–1986) married Mina May Wilkinson (1902–1994) in 1925 at Warwick United Church. They had 7 children: Marjorie Phyllis (Sercombe), Eleanor Jean (Skillen), John Donald, William Kenneth, Elizabeth Ann (Holbrook), Rose Vivian and Helen Margaret (Reid).

Bill was a veteran of World War I. He farmed on his birth farm and also had a business of a country general store, cold storage and egg grading business at the southeast corner of Forest Rd. and London Line. After 15 years, he retired to “just” farming. Bill was always involved in community activities. He was elected to the Warwick Township Council and the school board; he was a member of the Federation of Agriculture and the Lambton Co-operative Medical Services; and he served in different church organizations.

Mina loved her family and enjoyed cooking and entertaining in her home. She enjoyed music and poetry. Mina helped Bill with the business as well as training and educating her children.

Mina and Bill lived good long lives and enjoyed retirement in Warwick Village after selling their farm to their son, Ken. They also enjoyed some winters in Florida before Bill's ill health ended that. Mina and Bill are buried in the Warwick Cemetery.

Two of their children remained in the Warwick area, Marjorie and Ken.

Ploughing Match: Ken Blain, Bill Jones (on tractor), Bruce Miner, Brad Blain, Jeanne Blain. Courtesy E Jones.

Marjorie Phyllis Blain (1926–) married Richard (Dick) Sercombe (1925–1975). They had 2 children: Carol Ann Sercombe (1958–) and Richard Craig Sercombe (1962–1999). Marjorie helped in the family store and was an office worker for ten years prior to her marriage to Dick Sercombe in 1957. She was a farmer's wife for 20 years. Marjorie now lives in Forest.

Carol Anne Sercombe, a teacher, married Robert William Spence in Sarnia.

Craig Sercombe married Nancy Sutton. They had 3 children: Kaylea May, Kasey Beverley and Kraig Donald. Craig worked at tiling, farming and in a feed mill. Nancy was always a keen homemaker.

William Kenneth (Ken) Blain  (1930–)  married Sylvia Jeanne Crockard. They have three children: Brenda, Heather Jean and Bradley Clarence. Ken left school to help in the family businesses. He bought and operated his parents' farm and still lives on this farm on London Line. Ken also does beautiful carpentry work. For some years, Jeanne worked in an office in Sarnia, then as secretary at Warwick Central School and East Lambton Secondary School.

Both Ken and Jeanne have been very involved in the life of Warwick United Church. Ken served on various church boards and sang in the choir. Jeanne was the organist at Warwick United Church for over thirty years. Now, as a hobby, she makes dolls which are works of art. They like to travel in the summer and take a southern holiday or cruise in the winter. They have three children.

Brenda Blain married Bruce Miner in 1982.They have four children: Lee William, Pamela Nicole, Scott Michael and Dale Allen. Brenda and Bruce were both active in Junior Farmers. Bruce farms on the old Miner homestead, where the large brick house, which burned shortly after their marriage, was replaced by a one-level home. Bruce cash crops and feeds a large herd of cattle. Brenda works in a lawyer's office in Watford. She is involved in many community, school and church activities. An accomplished musician, Brenda is now the organist at Warwick United Church. She and her mother, Jeanne, provide organ and piano music for special occasions. Brenda also plays the violin, teaches Sunday School and leads 4-H clubs. Bruce is active in the church as well.

Heather Blain married Gary Straatman in 1987. They have 3 children: Alysa Paige, Troy Michael and Mallory Nadine. Heather is employed at Lambton Mutual Insurance in Watford. They live on a farm southwest of Watford.

Brad has built himself a home at 6779 London Line, near his parents. He works at Delta Power Equipment and is unmarried.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Blain Family

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