Obituary of Bill Blaine
William John Blaine was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 15, 1937. He was baptized at Corpus Christi Parish in Detroit on July 11, 1937. He attended St. Mary Grade School in Rockwood receiving his first communion in May of 1945 and being confirmed in 1948. Bill would continue his education graduating with the Class of 1955 from Airport High School. He then served his country as a member of the Michigan Army National Guard being called up during the Berlin Crisis for eleven months.
William married the love of his life, Kathleen Flint, on September 4, 1960 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Newport. For thirty-seven years he supported his family with employment at Monsanto Chemical Company serving in a Supervisory role. He retired in 1994. Following retirement, he worked with Carl Masserant. He also was active at St. Charles Church helping with many social events and making burials at the cemetery.
William was an avid outdoorsman. He loved walking the woods and fields no matter what the weather. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with the later being his true passion. Countless memories would be made spending time at the family cabin in West Branch. Extremely fond of his many nieces and nephews, William, was best known for his generosity. He was kind and patient with a peaceful disposition. He was certainly a gentle soul.
William was gifted with his hands and had the innate ability to fix anything often using old and worn parts. He enjoyed making birdhouses and refinishing some fifteen tractors.
He was a member of the Monsanto Quarter Century Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Southern Michigan Antique Tractors Association, and St. Charles Athletic Club.
William John Blaine, age 84, of Carleton, passed away at his daughter Brenda’s Monroe home on Saturday; June 26, 2021. He had been under her care and that of ProMedica Hospice since 2019. His passing was preceded by his parents; a son: Brent Blaine in 1977; brother and sister-in-law: Donald and Marilyn Blaine; two nephews: Brad Flint and Glenn Blaine; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Edward and Dolores Flint; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Robert and Barbara Flint; and sister-in-law: Kathy Ciacelli Flint.
To cherish his memory he leaves his beloved wife of sixty years: Kathleen of Carleton; a daughter: Brenda Blaine of Monroe; a nephew: Michael (Lori) Blaine of Indiana; five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Tom (Ruth) Flint, Michael (Marilyn) Flint, John (Karen) Flint, Joel Flint, and Jerry (Cindy) Flint; seventeen nieces and nephews; forty great nieces and nephews; three great-great nieces and nephews.
Friends may gather from 2:00pm-8:00pm on Thursday; July 1, 2021 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. He will lie-in-state from 10:00am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00am on Friday; July 2, 2021 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 8125 Swan Creek Road, Newport, Michigan. Father Henry Rebello will officiate and procession will follow to the church cemetery for burial.
Memorials for those who desire are suggested to the St. Charles Academy Tuition Assistance Fund. Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the generosity and love shown by the caregivers and ProMedica Hospice.