OBITUARIES
IVAN BLOOMER
MR Ivan Robert Bloomer, of St Leger Court, Accrington, died at Royal Blackburn Hospital, on Tuesday, January 23, aged 76.
Ivan was a sheet metal worker.
He was a member of the Canine Club, Accrington and enjoyed football and horse racing.
He leaves his son Robert, grandson Alexander, nieces Samantha and Kimberley and was great-uncle to Joshua, Mia and Scott.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at Accrington Crematorium, at 1.40pm, conducted by the minister Mrs Sandra Howles.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested to the British Heart Foundation c/o funeral director Kirby and Hughes, Accrington.
PAMELA WHITTLE
MRS Pamela Jean Whittle, of Accrington, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 24, at East Lancashire Hospice, aged 73.
Pamela was a retired civil servant, she loved watching cricket, snooker and liked a game of bingo.
She was the loving wife of the late John, loved mum of Andrea and Martin, mother-in-law to Dave and Sarah, devoted nan of Abigail, Nick, Ben, Ollie and Izzy and great-nan of Adeline.
A funeral service and cremation will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Wednesday, February 7 at 11.40am.
Donations in memory of Pamela are to East Lancashire Hospice c/o funeral director Valerie Roland, Hillside Funeral Directors, Burnley Road, Accrington.
LYNNE ROBINSON
MS Lynne Robinson, of Buckingham Grove, Church, died on Monday, January 22, aged 64.
Lynne was a former auxiliary nurse at Accrington Victoria before ill health forced her to retire.
Daughter of the late Annie and Albert Robinson, she leaves four sisters Christine, Pauline, Julie and Jill and late sisters Shirley and Diane, mum to Joanne, Carl and Amy, loving grandmother of Chloe, Holly, Ellie, Curtis and Phoebe and mother- in-law to Mark and Kelly.
Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 6, at 11.40am, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by the minister David Ireland.
Family flowers only please, donations are welcome to The British Heart Foundation or Cancer Research c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
WINIFRED EASTHAM
MRS Winifred Eastham, of Brook Street, Rishton, died on Monday, January 22, aged 93.
Winifred was born and raised in Darwen, first working in Belgrave Mill, Darwen for a short time before moving to Mullards, Blackburn, where she worked on the welding plant for some time before changing career and becoming a social worker.
She took up this work at Feniscliffe Care Home in Blackburn and remained there for over 20 years up to her retirement.
In her younger days she was a very keen singer and a member of a choir as well as local amateur dramatic societies.
She loved travelling around the countryside and also to holiday camps and camping with her late husband Tony.
She visited Walsingham shrine in Norfolk on many occasions.
She enjoyed knitting toys and dolls clothes for church charity events.
Winifred was an avid reader, enjoyed playing the piano, and loved listening to music - especially songs from the shows.
She also loved watching Strictly Come Dancing, The Voice and the soaps.
Wife of the late Tony, she leaves cousins Kevin, Audrey, Terry and Sylvia, Pat and Michael in Australia and Julie.
She also leaves many close friends.
Requiem Mass was due to be held on Thursday, February 1, at 9.30am, at St Charles RC Church, Rishton, conducted by the minister Fr Martin Dowd, followed by interment at Great Harwood Cemetery.
Family flowers only please, donation are requested to St Charles RC Church c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
MARY IRELAND
MRS Mary Jane Ireland, of Edward Court, Church, died on Wednesday, January 24, at Hope House, Clayton-le-Moors, aged 101.
Mary was grandmother to Robert and David Sutcliffe, and greatgrandmother to Harry and Jack. The funeral will take place on Thursday, February 8, at Accrington Crematorium, at 1.40pm, conducted by the minister Mr Ken Howles.
Family flowers only please.
Donations are requested to the North West Air Ambulance c/o funeral director Kirby and Hughes, Accrington.
PETER REGAN
MR Peter John Regan, of Tanpits Road, Church, died in hospital on Tuesday, January 23, aged 70, with his wife Linda sat by his side.
Peter leaves his much loved wife Linda, loved son Mark and precious grandson Liam.
Brother of the late Mary, he also leaves sisters Pat and Ann, and his brother Martin. He was a brotherin-law to Alan and Sharon and Alwyn and Steve.
He also leaves nephews and nieces.
Peter started work at Nori Brick Works on his 15th birthday and worked for the brickworks until his retirement.
His love in life was Manchester United and Accrington Stanley. He also liked to have a flutter on the horses.
Peter was a very well liked man.
On Peter’s behalf I would like to thank the following people: All his friends at the brick works, The Willow Mount and The Clayton Con Club, special friends Sandra and Anthony Cuddihy.
Thank you to all in Kirk House who always had a nice word to say about Peter.
A personal thank you to scheme manager Kelly Boothman, her help was fantastic. A big thank you and God bless you all.
The funeral will take place on Friday, February 2, at 3pm, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by the minister David Ireland.
Family flowers only please.
Donations are requested to East Lancashire Hospice c/o funeral directors Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
EDNA POWER
MRS Edna Power, formerly of New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, died on Thursday, January 25 at White Ash Brook Care Home, aged 85.
Edna was a shopkeeper, a former weaver and also an office worker at Gaskell Carpets.
In her spare time she enjoyed spending time with family, dancing, playing cards, holidays in Malta, Spain and Cleveleys.
She leaves her devoted and loving family, daughter Lorraine and son-in-law Alan, sister Kathleen, granddaughter Charlotte and her partner Matt, grandson Howard and his wife Chloe, great-grandaughter Daisy and nieces Elaine and Linda.
The funeral will be held on Friday, February 9, at Immanuel Church, New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, at 1.15pm, conducted by the minister Rev Martin Joss, followed by cremation at 2.20pm.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested to White Ash Brook Care Home. Funeral director: Kirby and Hughes.
NELLIE GIBSON
MRS Nellie Gibson, of Blackburn Road, West End, Oswaldtwistle, died on Friday, January 26, aged 94.
Nellie never left her beloved Oswaldtwistle.
She was born in Stanhill and passed away in West End, Oswaldtwistle.
Nellie had a clothes shop, then when the shop closed she was a bookkeeper until she retired.
She loved knitting, doing crosswords, going to church but most of all she loved spending time with her family and friends.
Wife of the late Jack, she was mother of the late Peter, grandma to Gillian, Michelle, Lisa, Stephanie, Debbie, Tony, Rachel, David, Katherine and Laura.
Her funeral will take place on Tuesday, February 6, at 2.20pm, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by the minister Rev Martin Joss.
Family flowers only, please send donations directly to the British Heart Foundation.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
JOHN COATES
MR John Joseph Coates, of Oswaldtwistle (formerly of Carrickmacross and Belfast), passed away peacefully after a short illness, on Monday, January 22, in the Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 85.
John was the devoted husband of Ann, much loved father of Diane, Susan, John and the late Robert, the late Stephen and the late Patrick, adored grandfather of Lisa, Bobby, Connor, Stephanie, Rosie (RIP), Barclay, Shauna, Bradley and Bridie Rose, greatgrandfather of Olivia and cherished brother of May, Frances, Christopher, Arthur, Letitia-Josephine, Henry, Noel, Teresa, Billy and Lilian.
John will be sadly missed by his daughtersin-law Susan and Elaine, sons-in-law Stephen and Paul, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends.
John served in the army and travelled worldwide.
He was born in Ireland and married Anne-Marie and together they moved to the UK following the birth of their children.
John then devoted his life to caring for his children alongside his beloved wife Anne-Marie. They enjoyed family holidays around the UK and in his spare time he enjoyed a spot of gardening. May John Rest In Peace. Reposing at L Champ Funeral Services Ltd, Bank House, Whalley Road, Clayton-Le-Moors, Accrington.
Funeral procession from there on Friday, February 2 to St Mary’s RC Church, Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, arriving for Funeral Mass at 9.30am, followed by burial in Accrington Cemetery, Burnley Road, Accrington.
Family flowers only and donations in memory of John to Dementia UK via www.champfunerals.com/ obituaries.
Enquiries to Champ Funeral Services info@ champfunerals.com
IVOR ELLISON
MR Ivor John Ellison died peacefully in his sleep with the caring staff of Mapleford Nursing Home with him on Wednesday, January 24, aged 79.
Formerly of Stanley Street, Accrington, he grew up in Huncoat Village where he started working life as farm help, did his apprentice as a plasterer, then joined the army in the catering corps for national service.
He went on to deliver milk for dairies, then drove lorries for Gilbraiths delivering Accrington Nori Bricks. He then worked many years on LCC Street Lighting and later became a van driver for Albert Harrison’s Wholesalers which he enjoyed getting out on his own little run, he was there until retirement in 2004.
He enjoyed car mechanics and any form of DIY. He also enjoyed helping his son Paul to gigs with his electronic organ which he took pleasure from doing.
He also liked going to Platts WMC where he enjoyed dancing and socialising with friends.
He was the eldest son of the late John and Ada, was the husband of the late Sandra Ellison, and leaves his devoted brother Alec, caring son Paul, granddaughters Amy and Holly, Paul’s partner Tracy, Ivor’s loving partner Sheila Neil, sister-in-law Sheila, and his nephew and nieces.
His funeral service, conducted by Judith Talbot, will be held on Monday, February 5 at 12.20pm at Accrington Crematorium Chapel. This will be followed by burial at 1pm at Accrington Cemetery.
Family flowers only with donations to Dementia UK.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road.
FRANK FIELDING
MR Frank Fielding, of George Avenue, Great Harwood, died on Saturday, January 27, aged 78.
Frank worked for the ambulance service.
He enjoyed travelling, cars and his family. In his early days he was the vocalist in the band Them 3.
Frank leaves his devoted wife Audrey, daughter Tracey, son-in-law Tony, son Craig and daughter-inlaw Maria and was a much loved grandad to Jaden, Tiana, Ashlyn and Rory. He also leaves his stepchildren Karen, Danny, Barrie and Richard.
Frank will be forever in our hearts and we will remember him every day of our lives, we love you.
The funeral service, conducted by Judith Talbot, will be held on Monday, February 5, at 11am at Accrington Crematorium. Followed by cremation.
Flowers are welcome with donations to the North West Air Ambulance.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Service.
IRENE PICKUP
IRENE Pickup, of Rishton and formerly of Accrington, died peacefully at her home on Monday, January 29 surrounded by her loving family, aged 89.
She was the devoted wife of the late Jimmy, much loved mum of Linda, dear mother-inlaw of the late Tom, cherished grandma of Mark and his wife Caroline, and James and his partner Agnes, great-grandma of Macy and also a dear relative and friend to many over the years.
Irene started her working life as a doffer at Stanhill Spinning Mill and worked her way though the various departments. She loved her work and had many good friends.
Irene loved the sunshine and spent many happy hours pottering in her back garden while listening to her favourite Daniel O’Donnell tapes and she created many happy memories relaxing, making friends and entertaining her grandsons at the static caravan in Pilling.
She was a very independent lady with a good social life and she was truly devoted to her family. Donations may be made in memory of Irene to the British Heart Foundation.
Irene’s funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road, Accrington on Friday, February 2 at 1pm.
Family flowers only please with donations in memory on of Irene on behalf of British Heart Foundation via www.champfunerals. com/obituaries
Enquiries to: Champ Funeral Services.
CAROLE CLITHEROE
CAROLE Susan Clitheroe, of Stopford Court, Sparth Road, Clayton-le-Moors, sadly passed away at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Friday, January 26, aged 77.
Carole was the dearly loved daughter of the late William and Edith Wilson and will be sadly missed by her friends.
She was the owner of Just Drinks off licence on Milnshaw Lane, Accrington till retirement in 2005. She then moved to a caravan near Carnforth until her return in 2016 to live in Clayton-leMoors.
In her younger days Carole was the Junior British Roller Skate Champion. She also exhibited, bred and judged rough collies to high level. She enjoyed tennis, ballet and travelling.
A service, conducted by Angela Riding, will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Wednesday, February 7 at 10.20am.
No flowers by request but donations if desired to Bleakholt Animal Shelter, Institute of Cancer Research or Animal Care Lancaster.
Funeral director: Great Harwood Funeral Service.