(submitted by Joyce Runnalls)
The Runnalls family came to Warwick Twp. from Caradoc Twp. in 1947. Edwin (1880–1980) and Lola (1882–1957) brought their son Ralph, his wife Jean and their two sons, Ian and Wayne, to a farm on Lots 14–15, Con. 1 SER (Egremont Rd.).
Ralph Runnalls (1915–1994) farmed and also had a furnace installation, cleaning and repair business. Many a Warwick resident will remember friendly Ralph in his dark coveralls climbing down to their basement. Jean (1913–1995) passed away shortly after her husband. Their sons, who had built homes beside the farm house, took over the farm when Ralph passed away.
Ian married Joyce Meadows and they raised two girls, Jill (1966–) and Bridget (1970–). Ian helped his father on the farm and drove a tanker truck for Suncor for 29 years. In 1991 his wife Joyce was elected to the Warwick Township Council and served for a total of nine years. She was the first and only female Councillor ever elected in Warwick Twp.
Ian and Joyce’s daughter Jill married John Van Loon (1964–) and they have raised pigs on Lot 27, Con. 5 SER (Confederation Line) since 1990. Jill has worked for St. Willibrord Credit Union since she left high school. They had two sons, Riley and Nicolas. Tragically Riley was hit by a car and died in 2002, at the age of nine.
Bridget Runnalls married Jim Hart (1968–) in 1996. They have two daughters, Emma and Audrey. Emma was born on her grandparents’ 40th wedding anniversary. They live in Watford. Bridget works for Lambton Mutual Insurance, while Jim is a linesman for Bluewater Power in Sarnia.
Ian’s brother Wayne married Gwen Goldhawk (1943–1998) and they raised three children, Rob, Kim (Runnalls) Cassidy, and Jodie (Runnalls) Thomas. After Gwen’s death, Wayne married Sandra Kersey.
Edwin Runnalls, age 99, 1979. Courtesy J Runnalls.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Rumnall Family
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