Mr John Acheson, aged 74, called home on 24th August. He was saved as a boy of 15 in 1952 during gospel meetings conducted by the late John Hutchinson. When diagnosed with a terminal illness he accepted it with immense courage, and during his time in hospital he bore a very bright testimony to doctors and nurses alike who were much impressed with his attitude and demeanour. He leaves his wife Jean, daughter Jayne and son Gary, son-in-law Andrew, daughter-in-law Donna, and grandchildren Adam, Anna and Katrina. He will be greatly missed in the assembly in Armagh and for his faithful support of the gospel which he loved. The funeral service was conducted in the home by T W Wright, J Kells, and J Wishart, with D Gilliland, T Kells, and J Johnston at the graveside. He was a brother beloved.
Mr Stewart Ambrose, Portavogie, was called home on 27th August at almost 80 years of age. He was saved at the age of 15, and shortly after was received into the assembly in New Road. He lived in Portavogie for most of his life and was highly respected throughout the community for his righteous and gentlemanly Christian testimony. He had the joy of seeing his 5 children and 14 grandchildren all profess salvation. He loved his family, his Bible, and the assembly, to which he was very faithful. Prayer will be valued for his widow, Elizabeth, to whom he had been married for 56 years. The very large gathering heard the gospel preached at the funeral by B Currie and R McCoubrey.
Mrs Jane (Jean) Bingham (née Henderson), aged 93, passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on 4th August. Our sister was saved as a girl of 8 in the Hallelujah Hall in Motherwell, and also attended Roman Road and Ebenezer Sunday Schools and Bible Classes. She was baptised at the age of 14, and at 16 was received into the fellowship at Roman Road Hall. On her marriage, in 1945, to William Bingham of Kilwinning, she moved to Ayrshire and met with various companies of the Lord’s people in Irvine and Glasgow. After her husband passed away in 1996, Jean and her son Allen came into fellowship with the Lord’s people in Bridgend Gospel Hall, Kilwinning. She was a faithful and consistent attender at the meetings until unable to do so. Her son Allen was totally devoted to her and cared for her at home as long as he could. Declining health meant a stay in hospital and latterly in a nursing home. Despite this she still had an active and prayerful interest in the Lord’s people and work until her homecall. Remember her sons John, William, and their families, and especially Allen in your prayers.
Mr Robert Cathers, on 6th April, in his 90th year. Saved in 1962 while cycling home from gospel meetings conducted by W J Nesbitt in Sionmills, he was later baptised and received into the assembly at Strabane, where he continued steadfastly until his homecall. Robert’s great love was tract distribution, visiting many rural parts of Donegal and Fermanagh, as well as numerous towns and villages of West Tyrone. Eternity will surely reveal the fruit of all such earnest and prayerful sowing of the Word of God. Truly a "faithful and beloved brother", greatly missed in the little assembly and by his dear wife. His large funeral service was conducted by S Gilfillan and G Woods, assisted by local brethren.
Mr William Chambers, aged 87, was called home on 1st September after some months of illness. Our brother was saved at gospel meetings conducted by the late Joseph Stewart in Hanover Street, Portadown in 1939. Shortly afterwards he was received into the fellowship of the assembly where he remained until his recent homecall. A man of quiet disposition, he had a clear testimony among those with whom he worked in telecommunications. His funeral from the Gospel Hall was conducted by D Gilliland with local brethren assisting in tribute and prayer. He is survived by his widow, two sons and a daughter, and their families. Prayer for them is appreciated.
Mr Julius (Jule) Dorrian, aged 93, on 5th August. In early years he attended Frances Street Gospel Hall, Newtownards, where his father was in fellowship. At 21, Jule joined the army and served in N Africa under Field Marshal Montgomery; he was the last surviving Northern Ireland member of Montgomery’s "Desert Rats". He was ever grateful to God for preservation through the war years, and to faithful sisters of the Frances Street assembly who constantly prayed for his salvation. He was saved in 1972 and bore faithful testimony in his home town of Newtownards. His last 3 years were spent in happy fellowship in the Ballyhay assembly where he was most faithful in his attendance while health permitted. His cheerful disposition, even in illness, endeared him to all, and he will be much missed in the assembly. The very large funeral service was indicative of the high esteem in which he was held by those who knew him. Prayer valued for unsaved family.
Mr William Edward Erwin, aged 63, called home on 29th July. William was saved as a young man of 22 in 1968 at meetings conducted by Mr T McKelvey and Mr J Hutchinson in Mullafernaghan Gospel Hall, and was soon received into the assembly. After his marriage in 1975 he resided in Belfast and attended the midweek meetings in Parkgate Assembly returning to Mullafernaghan at the weekends; he sought to be a help in both assemblies in all aspects of assembly life. He had a deep interest in missionary work and for many years carried on a postal Bible School work in the land of Nigeria, in which many students took part. He will be greatly missed by his wife Doreen and daughter Naomi and the above assemblies. Pray for his unsaved relatives and Sunday School pupils. Mr R Pickering conducted the funeral services, with others helping.
Mrs Margaret Hamilton, aged 82, was called home to Heaven on 25th July. She was saved in 1961 during gospel meetings conducted in Derock, County Antrim. Margaret was soon baptised and was received into the local assembly at Bushmills where she remained in fellowship until her homecall. While health permitted, our sister was faithful in her attendance at the assembly meetings and was a supporter of gospel efforts in the area. A large company of relatives and friends gathered for her funeral service and heard the gospel preached by Matthew McKillen and James Martin, with local brethren sharing in tribute and prayer. Prayer is requested for many of her family who are unsaved.
Mr Bertie Heaney, aged 83. Our brother was called home to be with his Lord on 19th August. He was born in Kilkeel, where he was saved as a young man of 18 and subsequently received into fellowship. Following his marriage to Phyliss they continued in Kilkeel. Later they were in fellowship in Newtownbreda, Bloomfield, and for the past 14 years in Whitehouse. To many he was truly "a brother beloved". Please remember his wife Phyliss, son Paul, daughter Ruth, and their families in prayer.
Mrs Margaret Henderson, aged 86, wife of the late John Henderson, on 3rd August, after being ill for some time. She was saved in 1978 and was in happy fellowship in the assembly at Edenderry, Belfast. Our sister bore a good testimony, and her commitment to the assembly was evidenced in her faithful attendance at the meetings until her illness. Her large funeral, which was conducted by local brethren, indicated the high esteem in which she was held. She will be greatly missed by her family and also by the assembly.
Mrs Joy Holifield, of Deri, South Wales, aged 77, was called into the Lord’s presence on 21st July. Joy was saved at a baptism meeting in Bargoed in 1963 and was herself baptised shortly thereafter and received into fellowship at Deri. She was a woman devoted to the Lord, her husband Durrant and family, and the assemblies of His saints, testifying to those with whom she came into contact. Many enjoyed her hospitality and singing voice. Her witness took on a new dimension through a six year struggle with cancer. Her grief in hospital latterly was that she could no longer read nor witness. She was called home peacefully with her husband, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law around her bedside. Her regard was evidenced by the large number at her funeral. Prayer would be valued for daughter Jayne and family who are not yet saved.
Mrs Sylvia Kenny, called home on 30th May, after an illness borne with courage and dignity. Our sister was saved in January, 1976 and was in fellowship in several assemblies: Albertbridge Road, Glenburn, Ebenezer, Bangor, and for the last 14 years in New Road, Portavogie. She was a bright and cheerful Christian lady who endeared herself to many. Her large funeral was from the Gospel Hall and was shared by S Crooks, L Donnan, and R McCoubrey. Prayer is requested for her husband Eddie who is in failing health, also her 3 sons, 1 daughter, and 10 grandchildren.
Mrs Maureen Lipton, aged 65, suddenly on 27th August. Brought up in the Roman Catholic religion, Maureen was saved in 1982 at meetings held in Ballyhay Gospel Hall, and in 1984 was baptised and received into the Ballyhay assembly, where she continued faithfully until her homecall. Her large family all passed through the Sunday School, and she rejoiced greatly in the salvation of a daughter in recent months. Maureen was held in high esteem among the saints for her faithful, consistent testimony and quiet godly deportment, and will be greatly missed in the assembly. Prayer valued for unsaved family.
Mr Fred Thompson, Kilmore (Co. Tyrone), aged 93, called home on 24th July. A respected elder, he was saved for over 65 years, and was a quiet, consistent, and trustworthy man. He was the assembly correspondent for more than 40 years. Fred loved outdoor life as a farmer, but had a greater love for the saints and the furtherance of the gospel. He had a special interest in the young, praying specifically for many unsaved by name. He lived for the assembly, faithfully attending all the meetings until his sudden home call. He passed away near the very place where he had been saved in 1945. The large funeral services were conducted by D Gilliland and W J Nesbit. Fred will be greatly missed by the assembly but especially by his sisters: Gladys (with whom he lived), Helen, and his brother Marshall. All will remember him as gentle, generous, gracious, and godly.
