Mr Wilfred Finegan, on 11 June, aged 80. He was the son of the late John Finegan (evangelist) and brother of J C Finegan (Zambia). He was saved at the age of 40, and soon after was baptised and received into Central Hall Assembly, Bangor. Since 1984 he had been associated with the Ballyhay assembly where for many years he shared in the responsibility of oversight. A faithful brother who laboured much behind the scenes for the benefit of the assembly, he was totally dependable in his attendance and participation in every assembly activity while health permitted, and at times when he was barely able. Declining health since 2000 brought many trials, which were borne with great patience and fortitude. Prayer would be valued for a son still unsaved.
Miss Mary Gillespie. Mary was saved in early life through attending Sunday School in Shields Road Gospel Hall. She was baptised and received into fellowship in Shields Road assembly where, apart from some time in Wishaw assembly, she spent most of her life. Mary, in early life, took an interest in children’s work and maintained an interest in missionary activities over the years. She will be remembered too for the great care and devotion shown to her father over many years and into old age. Mary passed into the presence of the Lord after a period of time in a residential home. She will be greatly missed particularly by the members of the large family of which she was part.
Mr William (Willie) Hagan was called home unexpectedly on 16th April, aged 78. He was saved as a boy of 8 (when Mr Fred Bingham had meetings at Ballywillwill) on 17th March, 1936. A few years later he was baptised at the age of 12, and soon after was received into the assembly at Ballywillwill where he remained right to the end. A man who was faithful, helpful, and dependable in the assembly, he was a respected overseer, and for nearly forty years correspondent. He loved the gospel and often preached it himself, and sought to encourage saints and prayers for lost ones. He had the joy of seeing his prayers answered when his son Robert was saved some months ago. He will be sadly missed by his family and the assembly. His large funeral was conducted by J Wishart, R Trimble, G Green, N Emerson and R Pickering.
Mr Thomas Hampton, called home on 7th April after some months’ illness, aged 86. He was saved over 67 years ago, and received into the Waringstown assembly, but in latter years was a faithful and highly esteemed member in the fellowship of Donacloney assembly until his homecall. He bore a godly, consistent testimony, with clarity of mind to the end. The large funeral was shared by Messrs S McBride and W J Nesbitt - words of comfort and gospel were given to an attentive audience, and many unsaved heard tidings of salvation. He is survived by his wife, two sons and grandchildren, some needing salvation. Please pray for all the relatives.
Mr Wesley Harkness, in his 88th year, the last member of ten boys. Wesley attended meetings in Ballymaguire Old School conducted by the late Mr Beattie (Omagh) and Mr Wallace (Ballymena) which brought about deep conviction of his need of salvation, and he placed his faith in a risen Christ on 14th August, 1959. A good brother, though not a public man, who enjoyed fellowship in Killycurragh assembly outside Cookstown. Sadly, a short illness left him hospitalised for a number of weeks, and although receiving the best medical attention, the sovereign Lord had other plans. His good testimony was shown in the very large number at the funeral conducted by Bert Glasgow, Richard Nelson and William Taylor. His wife, a fellow believer, was so dedicated down through those many years together but especially in the closing moments of his life here. Prayer is requested for Wesley’s two daughters and son and the ten grandchildren.
Mr Jack Hawe. Our beloved brother was called home to be with the Lord on 1st March, aged 85. He was saved in early life when he was invited to attend gospel meetings by a young Christian, who later became his wife. He was baptised and received into fellowship in Oldpark Road assembly, Belfast. Later he and his wife came to reside in Newtownabbey and associated themselves with the Cloughfern assembly, where they continued in happy fellowship for over forty years. Jack was an active member who was present at all the assembly gatherings until ill health restricted his attendances. He was devoted to prayer and took a keen interest in the younger members, encouraging them in the ways of the Lord. Prayer is requested for his invalid wife Molly, who depended much on his support.
Mr Denis C Hinton. After a short illness our esteemed brother was called home to Glory on 28th April at the age of 84. Saved in his teens, his life was consecrated to the Lord’s service. Our brother was a devout student of the Word and a diligent servant of Christ, and his godliness and counsel were widely recognised. Denis was much involved in gospel work and was Sunday School Superintendent for thirty-one years. His oral and written ministry was always practical and profitable, and he excelled in Bible readings. Essentially a local assembly man, our brother was a faithful elder for over forty years in the Uxbridge assembly. He will be greatly missed. Remember in prayer his widow Mary, their three children and their families.
Mr George Orr, Brazil, on 18th May, aged 87. Brother Orr was born in Dublin in 1918 and was saved in 1936 under the preaching of Mr Harold Wildish of Jamaica. Soon afterwards he was baptised and received into fellowship in Merrion Hall, Dublin where he quickly developed in the things of God. He and his dear wife Martha began to take an interest in missionary work, and in 1945, under the ministry of J B Watson, their exercise for Brazil was confirmed. They sailed for Brazil in 1947 commended by the Merrion Hall assembly, and for over fifty years laboured in that land mainly in the states of Sao Paulo and Parana. They retired to Markethill in later years where George was a great help in the small assembly, but he kept in touch with the work in Brazil by e-mail and was thrilled to hear, just two weeks before he died, of the conversion of a man he had had contact with for many years. A good and gracious brother who will be much missed by all. His exceptionally large funeral was from Woodford Hall, Armagh with, Albert Fulton, Leslie Orr, J Wishart and R Pickering taking part. Prayer requested for his family especially his dear wife of over sixty-two years now being cared for in Faith House, Belfast.
(Our late brother’s personal testimony is given on pages 247 & 248 of this issue of the Believer’s Magazine.)
