King, Ivan

(submitted by Margaret King)

Ivan King (1917–2000) was the son of Burdett King (–1952) and Laura Hay (1880–1945), and grandson of Robert King. Burdett farmed all his life on Lot 23, Con. 6 SER (Churchill Line). The Kings had been married for 36 years when Burdett passed away. They had two sons, Ivan (1917–2000) and Ross Burton (1920–1978).

Ivan married Margaret Cran who grew up on the farm on Churchill Line further east from the King farm. Her parents were Robert and Reta (Freer) Cran. Margaret taught school for three years at SS#12. She retired in 1944 when she married Ivan.

Ivan and Margaret raised one son, Robert. In 1967 Margaret returned to teaching, but as a music teacher. She taught music first at Metcalfe Twp. school but mostly at Alvinston, Brooke, Watford and Warwick public schools and St. Peter Canisius Roman Catholic School. She was known to incorporate geography or history trivia somehow into every music session.

Margaret’s interest in music had started with her father who played the violin and fiddle and who taught her the keyboard. Margaret joined the popular Reg Freer’s Orchestra and they played at dances from Sarnia to past St. Mary’s at least once a month. She played the keyboard and sang harmony.

Margaret and her husband Ivan retired to St. Clair St. in Watford and their son Bob remained on the home farm. Even in her 80s, Margaret King volunteers her talent as a pianist at funerals, church services and local seniors’ homes.

Chapter 24 of 25 - King, Ivan

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