James William (Jim) Blaine, 91, long-time Custer resident, died Friday, December 3, 2010, in his home of natural causes. He was born at Elk Mountain of pioneer parents on November 1, 1919. He was enlisted in the CCCs from 1938 to 1940. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy where he served on a PBM as a flight engineer. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He met and married his sweetheart, Hazel, on March 25, 1944.

Jim was an accomplished brick and stone mason. He built and helped build many of the brick buildings in Custer and the Hills area and also in WY and MT.

Jim is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hazel M. Blaine of Custer; three daughters, Patty (Les) Rice of Black Hawk; Lois (Rick) Darrow of Sioux City, IA; and Jimmy (Richard) Chiaramonte of Custer. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Richelle (Bill) Tanner, of Edgemont; Raymond (Jull) Rice of Spearfish; Terry Rice of Littleton, CO; Thomas (Jennifer) Darrow of Sioux City; Kerry (Doug) Benting of Phoenix, AZ; Nicole (Brandon) Rozema of Hill City; Ani Chiaramonte of Laramie, WY; Crista (Brett) Walchuk of Gillette, WY; Antonia Chiaramonte of Custer and 11 great-grandchildren.

A wake service with rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 6, 2010 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at St; John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer with Father Peter Kovarik officiating.

Interment will be at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.