Blain

Gladys Elba Blain of Butler was 90 years old when she entered God's loving hands at 12:34 p.m. Sunday at the Good Samaritan Hospice Unit at Concordia.

She lived in Butler her entire life. Mrs. Blain was born Dec. 15, 1919, to the late Fredrick William Holfman and Elba Luther Holfman.

Gladys was a well-known agent for National Grange Insurance. She also worked for many years making food on the fair circuit for Ernie Taylor's Chicken Bar-B-Que.

Gladys enjoyed entertaining friends, playing cards, traveling and spending time with her family. Mrs. Blain loved supporting her grandchildren in their music and drama activities.

Gladys was a lifelong member of Jefferson Grange 1373 and National Grange. Mrs. Blain was awarded Granger of the Year and served as state deputy with her husband, John.

She was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of America and also attended Graceway Community Church.

Mrs. Blain is survived by her daughter, Roberta "Bobbie" Taylor and her husband, Ernest Taylor; five grandchildren, Amy (Patrick) Parker, Beth (Michael) Ackelson, Holly (Darrin) Mead, Shawn Taylor and Jenny Taylor. She will be greatly missed by her nine great-grandchildren, Cozette, Stetson, Mackenzie and Rosie Mead, Lyric, Brendan and Trevor Ackelson, Andre Parker and Olivia Taylor; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Velma Blain of Butler and Mrs. Mary Holfman of East Butler; and lifelong friends, Della Jones, Mabel Bartmas, Sarah Braden, Albert (Nettie) Martsolf and Rick and Ev Gallagher.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Milton Blain, on May 27, 1958; her parents; and two brothers, Ralph and Fredrick Holfman.

<B>BLAIN</B> — Friends of Gladys Elba Blain, who died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 124 E. North St., Butler. Visitation also will be held Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Westminster P.C.A., 420 N. Main St., with Pastor David West of Graceway Community Church, Butler, officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Burial Estates.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.