OBITUARIES
RAYMOND BENTLEY
MR Raymond Bentley died peacefully on Monday, January 15, in Each Step Nursing Home, Blackburn, aged 80.
He was the much loved dad of Judith, John and Andrew, grandad of Eve, Imogen and Jasmine and brother of Ken and the late Tom. Reposing in the Chapel of Rest, Mincing Lane, the funeral service and committal will be held at Accrington Crematorium at 10.20am on Monday, January 29.
Family flowers only please but donations, if desired, may be made to Dementia UK.
Funeral director: Co-op Funeralcare, 10-14 Mincing Lane, Blackburn.
JAMES ELAND
MR James Eland, of Sycamore Grove, Baxenden, died on Monday, January 15.
He started his career in the drawing offices at Lang Bridge, followed by national service.
He retired as a sales director for RGS Electro Pneumatics after 39 years service.
James played for Accrington Cricket Club in the Lancashire League in the year they won the championship in 1961 and he opened the bowling with professional, Wes Hall. He also played for Baxenden and Padiham.
He was a long serving member of the Masonic Association.
James was the much loved husband of Valerie, father of Mark, Bryony, Cathy and Lois, grandad of Grace, Jon Paul, Aoife, Warren, Jerica, Sophie, Aiden and Liam, and was the great-grandad of eight.
The funeral service, conducted by the Rev Tom Donaghey, was held at St John’s Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 24, followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium at 12.20pm.
Family flowers only with donations to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Service, Queens Road.
THOMAS HENDERSON
MR Thomas Henderson, of Avenue Parade, Accrington, died on Wednesday, January 17, aged 74.
In his younger years, Tommy played professional football for Norwich City, Accrington Stanley and Airdrie in Scotland.
He eventually made his home in Accrington, running his own business of The Pan Factory on Gillies Street, spinning his own pans. This was his profession until retirement.
In his early days of playing football, he did his National Service in the RAF. He loved his holidays to Barbados and Malta with his late wife Valerie and enjoyed nights out at the Sydney Street Club.
Thomas loved socialising and visiting his family in Scotland.
He leaves his son Ian, daughter Tracey, grandchildren Christian, Callum and Gemma, great-granddaughter Summer, brothers John and the late William, sisters May, Betty, Margaret, Cathleen and Rose. He was also a much-loved brother-inlaw and uncle.
The funeral service, conducted by Father Simon Stamp, will be held on Wednesday, January 31 with Requiem Mass at St Ann’s RC Church at 11.45am followed by burial at Dill Hall Cemetery. Flowers are welcome. Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Service, Queens Road.
MARGRET MILLS
MRS Margret Joan Mills, of Woodside Care Home, Padiham, Burnley, died on Thursday, January 18 aged 91.
Margret was born on June 3, 1926. She was a police woman and then had various jobs as a clerk.
She was the church goer at Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, Oxford Street, Accrington.
She enjoyed reading books and followed F1 Car Racing with real interest all season. Another passion was visiting jewellery shops for gold items.
She leaves her husband Mr L L Mills and son Thomas Mills.
The funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Tuesday, January 30 at 2.20pm. Flowers are welcome. Funeral director: Bertwistles Funeral Service.
GEORGE KITCHING
MR George Kitching, of Oswaldtwistle died peacefully in hospital after a short illness on Tuesday, January 16, aged 94.
He was the adored husband of the late Jean, much-loved father of Bill and David, precious grandfather of Nicholas, Lisa and Adam, greatgrandfather to Will, Rafe and Max and father-in-law to Marion.
George enjoyed a happy life. He worked in many roles at Platt Saco Lowell.
In the 1950s he lived and worked in Europe and South America, where he learnt to speak Portuguese.
His happiest times were with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, helping him with his projects and pottering in his garden.
George liked a good cat and meeting people.
He volunteered at the Hyndburn Heritage Centre.
The family would sincerely like to thank everyone at Hyndburn Heritage Centre for their friendship in his last years, to his neighbours for their support, particularly Pauline, Stuart and Bernice, to Altham Care Home for the care and dignity given during his short stay, and a special thanks to Sister Shirley, doctors and nurses on Ward C6 Blackburn, for the kindness and care throughout George’s last days.
The funeral service, officiated by the Rev Peter Cox, was due to be held at Accrington Crematorium on Thursday, January 25 at 1pm.
Family flowers only or donations, if desired, for Hyndburn Heritage Centre.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road Accrington.
ROBERT MAKIN
MR Robert Henry Francis Makin (Bob) died peacefully attended by some of his family at Braeside Rest Home for the Elderly on Saturday, January 13, aged 94.
Bob was born and spent much of his life in Accrington along with his seven brothers and sisters.
He served in the RAF during the Second World War and worked as an engineering inspector at Blake Brothers/Allspeeds in Clayton-le-Moors for many years until retirement.
He was an active member of the local RAFA branch and worked a day a week for Oxfam in Accrington during retirement.
He also worked with the local Macmillan fundraising group.
He was the devoted husband of the late Julie, dearly loved dad of Sandra and Mary, dear father-inlaw of Peter and Rod, cherished grandad of Darren, Joanne, Sarah and Jennifer and proud great grandad of Hannah, Daniel, Arjuna and Melissa.
Bob’s requiem mass will take place at 10am on Monday, January 29, at St Anne’s RC Church, Cobham Road, Accrington, followed by cremation at 11.40am at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road, Accrington.
Family flowers only please, however, donations may be made in memory of Bob to the Macmillan Fund via Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road.
RONALD LAMB
MR Ronald Lamb (known as Ronnie), of Hollins Lane, Baxenden, died on Thursday, January 18, aged 83.
With the exception of National Service, which was served in the Royal Air Force, his working life revolved with a local firm of painters and decorators, commencing at the age of 15 as an apprentice painter and decorator, professing eventually to MD and owner.
In the early 70s, along with his wife Mildred, they purchased additional premises in Warner Street, Accrington, and formed a successful retail decorative store in addition to the existing industrial, commercial and domestic painting and decorating business.
In his younger days, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Accrington, and on the club’s formation of The Talking Newspaper for the Blind he acted as secretary and was involved in the early development and organisation of this very worthwhile charity.
When in good health he was an active member of The New Jerusalem Church, Accrington, along with his late wife, Mildred - he enjoyed many years of caravanning at Ribby Hall and Ruthin, North Wales.
He loved reading, especially anything to do with motor cars. He was also a lover of music - especially anything from Nat King Cole, Glenn Miller or Frank Sinatra.
Ronnie was the beloved husband of the late Mildred. He was also a much loved uncle, great-uncle, cousin and good friend to all who knew him.
Arrangements to be confirmed but service, followed by cremation, will be held at Accrington Crematorium Chapel, Burnley Road, with the minister David Sharrock.
Family flowers only with donations to the East Lancs Air Ambulance.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road.
THOMAS MERCER
MR Thomas Mercer, of White-Croft View, Baxenden, died peacefully at Royal Blackburn Hospital, on Sunday, January 21, aged 81.
He spent time as a heating engineer at McKeirnans and was a very proud member of the Royal Artillery.
He enjoyed fishing, model making and baking.
He was the beloved husband of Kathleen, loving dad of Beverley, Stephen, Sandra and their families, a proud grandad and great-grandad, brother of Kathleen and brother-in-law of Richard and Margery.
The funeral service, conducted by Ken Howles, will be held on Tuesday, February 6, at 3pm. This will be followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium.
Donations to Dementia UK or British Legion.
Funeral director: Wolstenholmes.
YVONNE FORD
YVONNE Margot Ford, of Accrington, died peacefully in hospital, on Thursday, January 18, aged 72.
She was the dearly beloved wife of Gerard, cherished mum of Kelley and Lianne, dear motherin-law of Ben and Steven, loving nana of Rebecca, Dylan, Madison and Callum and great-nan to Lucas, much loved sister of Val, also a much loved sister-in-law and auntie.
Yvonne will be sadly missed by her loving family and many friends.
Family flowers only please and colourful clothing preferred.
Donations may be made in memory of Yvonne to Diabetes UK.
A service to celebrate Yvonne’s life will take place at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road, Accrington on Monday, January 29 at 12.20pm.
Family flowers only please with donations in memory of Yvonne on behalf of Diabetes UK via www.champfunerals.com/ obituaries.
Funeral director: Champ Funeral Services, Claytonle-Moors.
JACQUELINE HUNT
JACQUELINE Hunt, of St Ledger Court, Accrington, died on Sunday, January 21, aged 88.
In her younger years Jacqueline was part of the land army, and later served for the regular army during the 1950s.
She later had various jobs including being a club act, working on Accrington Market and for Smithson’s Newsagents, she loved talking to people and also greatly enjoyed singing at The Cross Guns in Church as well as for charities in the local area.
In her spare time she enjoyed music, singing, reading and TV. Her favourite TV programmes included The Chase, Tipping Point and Eggheads.
She took pleasure in going to dinner parties and going away on holiday, over the years she has visited Spain, Malta and America.
Her favourite past-time without a doubt though was going out on her buggy ‘Betsy’, a mobility scooter.
Jacqueline will be very sadly missed by all her family and friends.
A much loved mum of Lesley, Kim, Kerry, Monty and Alan, a treasured grandma of Bengisu, Georgia, Daniel, Ashley and Jakob.
A cherished greatgrandma of Kyle, Owen and Jack, a dearly loved sister of Jack and the late Desmond. A dear sister-in-law of Minnie and also a dear auntie to Christine, Janet, Simon and Sam.
A celebration of life service will be held at 9.40am on Wednesday, January 31 at Accrington Crematorium. Flowers welcome. Funeral director: Barton and Hallworth Funeral Service, Oswaldtwistle.
THOMAS CAREY
MR Thomas Carey, of Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, died on Sunday, January 7, aged 79 while on holiday in Lanzarote.
He worked for many years in the coal mines at Hapton Valley and was then the foreman at Escorts in Stanhill village before his retirement.
Thomas was a member of the Oswaldtwistle Homing Society and was a lifelong pigeon fancier.
He enjoyed holidays abroad with his wife Joan and a social drink.
He leaves his wife Joan, niece Glenys and nephews Robert, David, Philip and Billy, late brother Harry and late sisters Ruby, Elsie and Jane.
A funeral service and cremation will take place at Accrington Crematorium on Monday, January 29, at 3pm officiated by Rev Joss. Family flowers welcome.
Funeral director: Oswaldtwistle Funeral Service.