at Ashburton Hospital, aged 76 years. Dearly loved husband of Maureen. Much loved father and father in law of Suzanne and Graeme King, Richard, and Mary and Michael Andrew, and loved Pop of Callum, Alex, and Matt; and Olivia, and Emma. Messages to the Kolkman family, P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Wednesday June 15, commencing at 10.30am, followed by interment at the Rangiora Park Lawn Cemetery, cnr East Belt and Coldstream Road.
Funeral Notices
THOMAS Robert, on June 5, 2022
peacefully at Ashburton Hospital. Aged 57 years. Much loved husband of Trudy. Loving dad of Leah, and Jolene. Loved by his extended family. Messages to the Robert Thomas family PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A celebration of Robert’s life will be held in the New Life Church, 58 Melcombe Street, Tinwald on Thursday June 9 commencing at 10.30am followed by interment at the Seafield Lawn Cemetery, Seafield Road, Ashburton
ABBOTT John Christopher Digby (Digby), on June 4, 2022
On June 4, 2022, peacefully at Rosebank Lifecare, Ashburton. Aged 90 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Joan (nee Woolley) and best mate of the late Sally Haugh. Much loved father and father in law of Linda Gribben, Nigel, Dawn and Rod McKimmie, Kathryn and Mark, and Christine. Adored grandad of Chris and Alice, Matthew and Lucy, Emma and Matt, and Michael; Mark and Amanda, Scott, and the late James; Jennifer, and Mackenzie; Eden and Rodrick and great grandad of Charlie, Sofia, Evelyn, Lucas, and Ezra. Messages to the Abbott family 1509 Maronan Valetta Road 1 RD, Ashburton 7771. At Digby’s request a private family service will be held.
ELMS John David, on June 2, 2022
passed away peacefully at Ashburton Hospital, with family at his side. Aged 74 years. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Dianne, much loved father and father in law of Craig and Nic, and Mark and Bowie. Treasured poppa of Brittany, Thomas, and Michael. Love son of the late Collen and Merrion and cherished brother of Melva, and Graham. Messages to the Elms family P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service to celebrate John’s life will be held at our Chapel, cnr East & Cox Streets, Ashburton on Wednesday June 8, commencing at 10.30am. Followed by private interment
BIRD William Allen (Bill), on June 1, 2022
peacefully at Ashburton Hospital. In his 95th years. Dearly loved husband of the late Nola, loved father and father in law of Jenny and Steve Wells, and Geoffrey. Loved grandad of Nick and Emma, and Phil and loved great grandad of Theo, and Toby. Messages to the Bird family P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at Our Chapel, cnr East & Cox Streets, Ashburton on Tuesday June 7, commencing at 1.30pm. Followed by private cremation at the Ashburton Crematorium.
DOLAN Phillip Joseph (Phil), on May 26, 2022
peacefully at Rosebank Lifecare, Ashburton aged 84 years. Dearly loved husband of Pamela (Pam) for 61 years. Much loved father and father in law of Chris and Jo, Brendon and Catrina, Tim and Linda, Nick and Monique, and Anthony and Jenny. Treasured grandad of Joseph, and Jonty; Benjamin, Daniel, Ryan, and Jake; Joshua, and Ella; Jaimee, and Connor; Sophie, and Millie and great grandad of Julia, and Violet. Rest in Peace. Special thanks to the staff at Rosebank for their compassionate care and kindness. Messages to the Dolan family P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service to celebrate Phil’s life will be held at the Rakaia Community Centre, Elizabeth Avenue, Rakaia on Wednesday June 1 commencing at 11.00am followed by private interment.
BELL Valerie Ellen Mary (Val), on May 27, 2022
peacefully at Ashburton Hospital surrounded by her family. In her 86 year. Much loved wife and best friend of the late Lawrie. Adored and loving mother and mother in law of Grant and Lynell, and Vicki. Treasured Gran of Zeke, India, and Zak and Kayla and great-Gran of Noah and Avah. Messages to the Bell family P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A celebration of Val’s life will be held at the Rakaia Community Centre, Elizabeth Avenue, Rakaia on Friday, June 3 commencing at 1.00pm followed by private cremation at the Ashburton Crematorium.
DUNLEA Colleen Margaret (nee Gardiner), on May 28, 2022
(late of Rakaia). Passed away peacefully at Christchurch Hospital, on May 28, 2022, aged 72 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Donald, and dearly loved Mother of Carmen, and Craig and Helena. Most dearly loved Nana of Malaika, Tayla, Joshy and Cody. Loved daughter of the late June and Eric Gardiner, sister and sister-in-law of Jeanette and the late Bernard Doody and the late Vernon Doody. Loved daughter in law of the late Grace and Ken Dunlea, sister-in-law of the late Ross, and Jill, and Ian and Sharon. Much loved Aunty to all her nieces and nephews. Special thanks to all those that have care for Colleen in recent year, especially Christchurch Dialysis Team and Ward 14. Messages to the Dunlea family PO Box 472 Ashburton. A Memorial service to celebrate Colleen’s life will be held at Our Chapel, cnr East & Cox Streets, Ashburton on Friday June 10, commencing at 1.30pm, followed by private interment of Colleen’s ashes at Rakaia Cemetery. Our love will always be as long, as our rivers run from the mountain to the sea. Maybe gone but will never be forgotten.
CHALMERS Raymond George, on May 27, 2022
Ray passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Ashburton, aged 86 years. Devoted husband of the late Margaret, and son of the late George and Agnes Chalmers of Banff, Scotland. Much loved father and father-in-law of Neville and Andrea, Heather and Linda. Cherished Granddad to Leigh and Mark Shera, Nicola and Pete McDermott, and Jess and Henry Watson. Loving great Granddad of Harry, Alice and Hugo. Loved brother of Margaret and the late Janet, Bill and Nancy. Messages may be sent to the Chalmers Family, 890 Fords Road, Willowby, Ashburton 7774. A Memorial service to celebrate Ray’s life will be held in Our Chapel, cnr East & Cox Streets, Ashburton on Thursday June 2nd, commencing at 2.00pm.
CROSS Edwin John (John), on May 26, 2022
peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, after a long courageous battle from ongoing illnesses, aged 72 years. Soul mate of Margaret. Much loved Dad and father in law of Rachel and Euan, Paula, Caroline and Grant, Nicky and Lyndon, the late Craig, and Olivia, Theresa and Darryn, Steven and Alana, Natasha, the late Kevin, CareyAnne and Hamish. Treasured Granddad of his 17 grandchildren. Messages to P O Box 25, Hororata 7544. At John’s request a private family service will be held.
