Frances "Betty" Blain, 93, formerly of rural Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Albany Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albany, IN.

Born on January 28, 1929, in Whitley County, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Charles B. and Rhoda Blanche (Cook) North. Frances and her eight siblings grew up in the Larwill area. She graduated from Larwill High School in 1947.

On October 11, 1947, she married the neighbor boy, John W. Blain, and moved across the road to start her married life and family. John died on July 1, 2004.

A full-time homemaker raising the couple's five children, she also worked for several years as a waitress at the Lamp Lite Restaurant in Pierceton and several years for Frank's Greenhouse, Columbia City, where she cared for the roses.

She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. She enjoyed bowling and playing tennis.  She passed along her talent and fondness for sports to her children and grandchildren. She was always present for her children's and grandchildren's sporting and academic events.

Surviving are her children, Jacqueline A. (Michael) Irwin of Gaston, Teresa Blain-Keller of Muncie, Patricia (David Young) Ervin of Ft. Wayne, Jeanne Berengaria Blain of Columbia City; and six grandchildren.  She is also survived by family friends Holly McKinney and Joe Woods.

The last of nine children, she was preceded in death by brothers, Donald, Phil, Robert, Gale, and Richard North; sisters, Marjorie North, Martha Doepker, and Mary Gebert; a son, Robert D. Blain; a grandson, Brian Blain; and son-in-law, Michael Keller.

The Blain family would like to express their loving gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Albany Health and Rehabilitation for their wonderful care.

The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 5th, at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial is at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the Humane Society of Whitley County.