6 June 1926 – 30 June 2025. On Monday, 30 June, 2025, in her 100th year, Ruth passed peacefully with family at her side. Having lost Ken and sons, Russell and Brett (deceased), Ruth will be missed by her children, Wayne, Paula and Maree, her grandchildren and their partners, and those delightful great-grandchildren that she called her babies. Always so in tune with your physical world, it is time for your soul to take flight and soar with the angels. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. Rest in peace. On Ruth’s request, a private cremation has taken place. A special thanks to Access home support carers, and the district nurses who provided care and support for our mother.
Funeral Notices
CHALLIS Kevin Charles
Passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at the Ashburton Hospital, aged 78 years. Much loved husband of Lin. Brother of Caryl Reid (dec), and Dianne Challis. Much loved father and father in law of Louisa and Glenn Genrich. Grandfather of Sonya, Ashton, Reagan, and Braydon. Great grandfather of Casiel, Talisker, Mia, and Evelyn. Stepfather to Zane, Chevorn and Adam Burnell and their children Leila, Jed, Natalie and Megan. He will forever be in our hearts and thoughts and remembered for the kind and gentle man he was. He loved being in nature and hiking in the hills of the country he loved, with his friends in the ‘Strollers Club’. Biking through the countryside with his long-time mates in the ‘Young Guns’. He was a talented man spending many hours making beautiful pieces with his friends at the ‘Woodworkers’ and the ‘Hakatere Ceramics and Pottery’ groups. Thank you to the doctors and nursing staff for the special care he was given. Messages for Kevin Challis’ family P.O. Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A Memorial Service to celebrate Kevin’s life will be held in Our Chapel cnr East and Cox Streets, Ashburton on Friday July 11, commencing at 1:00pm.
SHAW Allan Ernest
On July 4, 2025, peacefully at Ashburton Hospital, aged 88 years. He was the loved husband of the late Ruth. Much loved father and father in law of Barbara (dec), Lois and Richard Lough (Christchurch) Alison and Garry Weavers (Temuka), Greg and Steph (Canada). Loved Grandad of Rebecca and Jack, Bernice and Hamish, and Craig; Scott and Hannah, and Lana; Brandon, and Dylan, and his 9 great grandchildren. Messages to the Shaw family PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. Allan’s family would like to thank the staff at Coldstream lifecare for their care of Allan over these past few months. A service of celebration for Allan will be held in our Chapel cnr East and Cox Streets, Ashburton, on Wednesday July 9 commencing at 11am. Followed by a private cremation at Ashburton Crematorium.
GLASS Derek
On Saturday July 5, 2025. Peacefully at Terrace View Retirement Village, Ashburton. Aged 87 years. Dearly loved husband of Rae. Much loved father and father in law of Colin and Paula, Vicky and Jon Hyde-Smith, Rachel and Paul Sharpe, and Charlotte Glass. Loving Pa and Granda of Hannah, and Olivia; Sam, Ben, and Lily; and Cameron, Alice, and Will. Loved by his brothers and sisters, extended family and friends. Messages to the Glass family, PO Box 472, Ashburton, 7740. A service for Derek will be held at St John’s Presbyterian Church, Methven, on Thursday July 10, commencing at 1.30pm, followed by interment at the Methven Cemetery.
WELLS Kevin Daniel George (Kev)
On July 4, 2025, unexpectedly at Christchurch Hospital, aged 71. Dearly loved Daddy and father in law of Rosie and Hayden. Loved ‘Buddy’ of Sandy. Much loved son of the late George and Maddie Wells. Loved brother of Barbara (dec), Robbie (dec), Carol (dec) and Clare. A special uncle to all his nieces and nephews and a special friend of Anne. In lieu of flowers donations to the Heart Foundation will be appreciated and can be made at the service, messages to the Wells Family to PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service to celebrate Kev’s life will be held at St Itas Church, Rakaia on Friday July 11, 2025, commencing at 1pm followed by a private interment.
LAIRD Geoffrey Bruce (Geoff)
On July 5, 2025. Peacefully passed away at home in Ashburton. Aged 68 years. Dearly loved husband of Bernice. Much loved Dad of Julie, Chris, and the late Ian. Geoff will be sadly missed by family and friends, the Lower Hakatere Community and Ashburton Indoor Bowling Fraternity. Messages to the Laird family, PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A celebration of Geoff’s life will be held at Our Chapel, corner East and Cox Streets, Ashburton, on Thursday July 10 commencing at 10.30am, followed by interment at the Ashburton Seafield Cemetery.
HOGG June Valerie (Val) (formerly of Ngahere, West Coast) on June 30,2025
At Radius Millstream, Ashburton, aged 94 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Alf. Much loved mother and mother in law of Sue and Peter Guilford, Helen Rossi, and Paula and Brian Carey. Loved Grandma of Brad; Kate, and Aaron and Jen; and Jack, and Lachlan and great Grandma to Bella, and Rocco; Archie, and Alfie. Loved sister of Bev Gregg, and Darryl Ross, sister in law of Sue Ross, and the extended Ross and Hogg families. Special thanks to the staff at Radius Millstream for their loving care of Val. Messages to Val’s family PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service for Val will be held in Our chapel, cnr East and Cox Streets, Ashburton, on Friday July 4 commencing at 1.00pm, followed by interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery.
KEEN John Clifford, on July 2nd, 2025
– 10.11.1934 – 2.7.2025, passed away peacefully at Oxford Court Resthome, South Dunedin, aged 91 years. Beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather. Messages to the Keen family, P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service for John will be held in Our Chapel, cnr East & Cox Streets, Ashburton on Tuesday July 8, commencing at 1.30pm, followed by interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery.
KENNEDY Mavis Agnes, on June 30, 2025,
peacefully at Ashburton Hospital surrounded by family, aged 85 years. Much loved wife of the late Ian. Much loved Mum and mother in law of Trevor and Gwen (dec), Malcolm (dec), Stephen and Andrea, Sharon and John, and Darren (dec). Much loved Nana of Hunter, Michael, Annabel, and Connor. Messages to the Kennedy family PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. According to Mavis’s wishes a private cremation has taken place.
MATHER William Anthony (Bill) on June 23, 2025,
at Ashburton Hospital. Husband and life partner of Gillian. Very much loved Dad and father on law of Caroline and Neil, James and Sharnti, and Gabrielle and Mike. Adored grandad to Joshua, Lara, Henry, Noah, Lucca, Vinci, and Rocco. Messages to the Mather family to PO Box 472 Ashburton, 7740. A Requiem Mass to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street Ashburton, commencing at 2pm Tuesday 1st July. Followed by a private family interment.