Earle Kilner
On August 1, 2022, Earle Kilner passed away peacefully at Afton Park Place, surrounded by his family. Born in Toronto on February 28, 1939, Earle spent his childhood in a number of towns and cities across Ontario. He moved to Montreal to study at Sir George Williams College (now Concordia University). He met his wife, Gail, to whom he was married for 60 years, at St Andrews United Church in St. Laurent, Quebec. Earle came to Sarnia to teach in 1961. He taught at Northern (1961-66), SCITS (1966-69), and the rest of his career at St. Clair (1969-1998). He loved being a teacher and lived for coaching, including basketball, football, cross-country, and track & field. He also coached with the SMAA soccer league for many years. Earle had a deep love for Sarnia and was very involved in the community and the United Church. He was one of the first chairs of council at Grace United and was involved with numerous committees at Grace over the years, especially the outreach committee, and AOTS (As One That Serves). He was also a Cub leader for many years. Additionally, he was a key leader with the paper drive at Grace United, which ultimately led to the arrival of a recycling program here in Sarnia. Earle served as President of the Board at Community Living Sarnia-Lambton for over a decade, and spear-headed the church to partner with Community Living to use the old manse as a home for respite care. He was a founder of the Mayor’s Breakfast (now Mayor’s Luncheon) through Community Living. Earle also served as a director with St. Clair Tae Kwon Do. Earle’s contributions to his profession and to our community has led to many awards and recognitions: He received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002, was recognized in the Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame for long-term commitment to youth in sports, was on the Mayor’s Honour List, and, in recent years, received the Hero’s Award from Community Living for making a difference in our community advocating for people with disabilities. Earle had a lifelong fascination with trains. He traveled from coast to coast by train in Canada and did the same when he traveled to visit family in southern Australia in 2010. Earle and Gail Kilner are well known for having adopted 10 children and raising a family of 13, many of whom are following in their parents' footsteps in the community. The eldest of five children himself, Earle was predeceased by his parents, Mildred and F. Stanley, and brothers Edward and Larry. He is survived by sisters Margaret and Rosemary. He is also survived by sister-in-law Marlene (Wayne predeceased), brother-in-law David (Claire), and their children. Earle’s legacy continues to live on in his children Heather, Glenn (Jackie), Kirsten (Tom), Craig, Mark, Trent (Lia), Josh (Carrie-Lynne), Kylee, Meghan (Mark), Ami (Kyle), Mandy, Adam, and Ian. He will be missed by his grandchildren Zach, Jared, and Logan; Keegan, Cali, Camden, and Lily-Gail; Ashleigh, Abbey-Gail and Brett; Kobe and Kaden; Lucas; Maddie, Brandon, and Trevor; Claudia; Leeland, Aliana, and Elijah; and great-grandchildren Liam and Kennedy Snake. Earle’s family would like to thank the staff at Afton Park Place for their kindness and care during his final stages with Alzheimer’s. Cremation has taken place and a gathering to celebrate Earle’s life will take place at Dunlop Central United Church 757 Rosedale Ave, Sarnia, ON, on Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 2- 4 pm. All are welcome. In celebration and honour of Earle’s life and his values. Remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family online in "Earle’s Guestbook” at mccormackfuneralhomesarnia.com. Donations can be made to Community Living Sarnia-Lambton, the Mission & Service Fund at Grace United Church, or the Alzheimer’s Society of Sarnia-Lambton. "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." Psalm 127: 3-5.