ALCOCK (James, “Norman”). Passed away peacefully at Macclesfield Hospital on 7th January 2026, Norman aged 94 years, of Congleton. A devoted husband of the late Anne; much-loved dad to Karen and the late Julie; gramps to Jim, Tom, Edward, Jenny and Sam, and great-gramps. A special thanks to all the staff on ward 10a at Macclesfield Hospital for their caring and kindness. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to the East Cheshire Hospice. Norman requested no black clothing to be worn; bright colours are compulsory. The funeral service is to be held at Wellspring Methodist Church, Congleton, on Tuesday, 27th January at 4.30pm, following a private family committal. All enquiries to Williams and Lowe Funeral Directors, Field House, 40, Congleton Road, Sandbach, 01270 750 852.
BELL (Irene). Peacefully on 5th January 2026, at home, Irene, aged 80 years, of Congleton. The dearly loved and devoted wife of the late Alan Bell; loving mum of Natalie and Jason; dear mother-in-law of Chris and Helen; cherished and treasured gran of Sophie, Charlie, Archie and Ava, and a dear sister to Pam. The cortege is to leave her home on Wednesday, 28th January at 1.20pm for a service and cremation at Birches Crematorium at 2pm. Will relatives please accept this, the only intimation, and friends wishing to attend kindly meet at the crematorium. Family flowers only, donations if desired to either East Cheshire Hospice or Buglawton Primary School PTA. All enquiries and donations to Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, 32, West Street, Congleton 01260 277 622. (afinneron.co.uk).
BENNETT (Valerie). Peacefully on 2nd January 2026, at Macclesfield District General Hospital, Valerie, aged 88 years, of Congleton. The dearly loved and devoted wife of the late Neil; loving mum of Steven; dear mother-in-law of Ann, and a cherished grandmother of Eve. The cortege is to leave her son’s home on Monday, 2nd February at 10.20am for a service and cremation at Birches Crematorium at 11am. Will relatives please accept this the only intimation and friends wishing to attend kindly meet at the crematorium. Family flowers only; donations if desired to the British Heart Foundation. All enquiries and donations to Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, 32, West Street, Congleton 01260 277 622. (afinneron.co.uk).
BLOOR (Eva). Sadly, on 22nd December 2025, Eva aged 101 years, passed away at Park Lane Care Home, Knypersley, Biddulph. The much-loved wife of the late Ted; a cherished mum of Irene, Alan, Carol, Janet, Sarah, and the late Kevin, and a loving, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma. Eva will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. The funeral is to take place on Wednesday, 21st January with a service at Biddulph Methodist Church at 12.30pm, followed by committal at Biddulph Burial Ground at 1.15pm.
BOULTON (Annie, “Anne”). Peacefully on 22nd December 2025, at Prestbury Care Home, Annie, “Anne”, aged 90 years, of Congleton. The dearly loved and devoted wife of the late Thomas Boulton; mum of Kaye, Granny of Lucy and William; great-grandma of Tommy and sister of Roy and Edith. The cortege is to leave her home on Tuesday, 27th January at 11.40am for a service and cremation at Macclesfield Crematorium at 12.15pm. Will relatives please accept this, the only intimation, and friends wishing to attend kindly meet at the crematorium. Family flowers only; donations if desired to Cancer Research UK. All enquiries and donations to Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, 32, West Street, Congleton, 01260 277 622. (afinneron.co.uk).
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DAVIES (Pauline). Passed away peacefully at home on Friday, 28th November 2025, aged 93 years. Pauline will be remembered greatly and truly missed by all her family and friends. The funeral service is to take place on Monday, 19th January , 1.45am at Crewe Crematorium, followed by a service of remembrance at St Peter’s Church, Elworth, at 12.15pm. Family flowers only by request, donations, if desired, to the Smile Train UK. All enquiries to Peter Forshaw Funeral Services, 37a, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, 01270 762 230.
FITZGERALD (Harold). Passed away peacefully at home on 13th December 2025, Harold Fitzgerald, aged 89 years, of Biddulph. The dearly loved husband of Louisa; much-loved dad of Glenn, Gary and Lisa; much-loved father-in-law of Susan, Lorraine and Scott; cherished granddad of Heather, Jessica, Alex, Hannah, Lucy, Amy and Isaac, and an adored great granddad. Harold will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends. The funeral service will be held at Bradwell crematorium on Friday, 23rd January 2025 at 1.20pm. Family and friends wishing to attend should kindly meet at the crematorium and then at Congleton Golf Club afterwards. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Alzheimer’s Society. Enquiries to John Garside, 2, Cross Street, Biddulph, 01782 513210.
GRUNNER (Zena Janet, 30th December 2025). Zena of Elworth, Sandbach, passed away in the care of staff at Leighton Hospital aged 73 years. The loving partner of Eric; much-loved sister of Susan and special auntie to Laura, Hannah and Jenson, and sadly missed by family and friends. The funeral service is at Crewe Crematorium on Monday, 26th January at 11.30am, Family flowers only, donations if desired please for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice. The family have asked for a hint of red to be worn on the day. All enquiries to AW Burrows and Son, Independent Family Funeral Directors, Swanley, Nantwich, 01270 524 243.
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HARDING (Kenneth, “Ken”). At rest and reunited with his beloved wife on Thursday 25th December 2025, at Royal Stoke University Hospital, while surrounded by his loving family, Ken, aged 96 years of Biddulph, formerly of Bath Vale, Buglawton, Congleton. A devoted husband of the late Brenda; treasured dad of David, Gary and Karen; dearest father-in-law to Karen and Paul; cherished granddad of Stefanie, Michael, Lee, Sofie, Melissa and Lauren; great-granddad of Theo, Penelope, Milo and Kai; a dear brother of the late Donald, Derek and Keith, and a much-loved brother-in-law, uncle and a good friend and kind neighbour to many. Ken will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all his family and friends. The funeral service will take place at St Lawrence’s Church, Biddulph, on Thursday, 29th January at 11am, prior to interment at Woodhouse Burial Ground. Will relatives please accept this, the only intimation, and would friends wishing to attend kindly meet for the service. No floral tributes by request, donations preferred and gratefully received to UHNM Charity (ward 79) c/o the funeral director. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Dolven Funeral Services, Independent Family Funeral Directors, 31-33, Congleton Road, Biddulph, 01782 379 191.
HARVEY (Nick). Nick, of Sandbach, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on 25th December aged 81. The beloved husband of Pat, and a much-loved dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, colleague and a well-respected former teacher and assistant head teacher at Sandbach Boys School. The funeral is to take place on Monday, 26th January with a Requiem Mass at St Winefride’s RC Church, Sandbach, at 11am, followed by a private committal. Family flowers only by request. Donations if desired to Dementia UK and the Alzheimer’s Society. All enquiries to Peter Forshaw Funeral Services, 01606 836 708.
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HEATH (Janet née Booth). On Tuesday, 6th January 2026, in Clayton Manor, Janet, aged 74, passed away peacefully. A loving and cherished wife to Mark and mum to Vicky and Jo; treasured sister to Carole; dearest sister-in-law to Phillip; much-loved mother-in-law to Dan and Darren, and devoted nanny to Dylan, Dexter and Noa. Janet was a good friend to many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Janet’s funeral will be taking place at Macclesfield Crematorium on Thursday, 5th February, at 10.45. Family and friends, please accept this as the only intimation and kindly meet at the crematorium. Family flowers only, please, and donations if desired to the NSPCC. Enquiries to John Garside and Son, Mountbatten House, Stonehouse Green, Congleton, 01260 298 829.
JODRELL (Judith Joy). Passed away peacefully at Leighton Hospital on 29th December 2025, Judy aged 75 years, of Wheelock. The cherished wife of Mike; much-loved mum to Darren and the late Simon; mother-in-law to Mandy and adored nan to Kyle. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice. The funeral service is to be held at Crewe Crematorium on Friday, 23rd January at 11.30am. All enquiries to Williams and Lowe Funeral Directors, Field House, 40, Congleton Road, Sandbach 01270 750 852.
PICKSTOCK (Joseph James). Peacefully on 27th December 2025, at home, Joseph James, aged 81 years of Congleton. The dearly loved and devoted husband of Sheila; loving dad of Andrew, Claire and Joanne; dear father-in-law of Neil and Darren; cherished granddad of Daniel, Samuel, Chloe and Caitlyn and a treasured great-granddad of Aiden and Nathan. The cortege is to leave his home on Wednesday, 28th January at 10.10am for a service and cremation at Macclesfield Crematorium at 10.45am. Will relatives please accept this, the only intimation, and friends wishing to attend kindly meet at the crematorium. Family flowers only, donations if desired to Cancer Research UK. All enquiries and donations to Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, 32, West Street, Congleton 01260 277 622. (afinneron.co.uk).
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ROGERS (David). Peacefully on Sunday, 21st December 2025, at Royal Stoke University Hospital, following a short illness and in the presence of his son, Mark and dear friends David and Janet Fletcher, David, of Gillow Heath. The husband to Linda for some 45 years; much-loved father of Leanne and Mark; brother of Brian, and granddad to Mia and Alfie. David will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by many as a friend, builder, bandsman and proud perfectionist. The funeral is to take place at St Lawrence’s Church, Thursday, 22nd January at 1pm prior to being laid to rest in St Lawrence’s Church cemetery, reunited with his beloved and much-missed father, Basil. All those wishing to attend are warmly welcome to meet at the church for the service. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Alzheimer’s Society. Enquiries and donations to C McGough and Sons, 79, Roundwell Street, Tunstall.
SAYLE (Trevor). Trevor, aged 68 years, of Congleton, was sadly taken away from us to soon on 3rd January 2026, at Royal Stoke University Hospital. He was the devoted father of Daniel, loving brother to Dawn and treasured son of the late Norman and Doris. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to the British Heart Foundation and Royal Stoke University Hospital. The funeral service is to be held at St Peter’s Church, Congleton, on Friday, 30th January at 3pm, followed by committal at Birches Crematorium. All enquiries to Williams and Lowe Funeral Directors, Field House, 40, Congleton Road, Sandbach 01270 750 852.
THORLEY (Ann). Passed away peacefully at home on 10th January 2026, Ann, aged 92 years, of Somerford Booths. The dearly loved daughter of the late Austin and Lucy, and loved sister to Brenda, Margaret and the late Gwen, Maud, George, Herbert and Joyce. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to the East Cheshire Hospice and St Michael’s Church, Hulme Walfield. The funeral service is to be held at St Michael’s Church, Hulme Walfield, on Thursday, 29th January at 1.30pm, followed by interment in the churchyard. All enquiries to Williams and Lowe Funeral Directors, Field House, 40, Congleton Road, Sandbach 01270 750 852.
WAIN (Malcolm). Peacefully on 31st December 2025, at Macclesfield District General Hospital, Malcolm, aged 89 years, of Congleton. The dearly loved and devoted husband of Joan; loving dad of Gillian and Karen; dear father-in-law of Steve and Shaun; cherished granddad of Ben, Hannah and Hayley and treasured great-granddad of Finn, Connie, Arthur and Fern. The cortege is to leave the Laurel’s Nursing Home on Friday, 6th February at 11.40am for a service and cremation at Macclesfield Crematorium at 12. 15pm. Will relatives please accept this, the only intimation, and friends wishing to attend kindly meet at the crematorium. Family flowers only; donations if desired to Cancer Research UK or the British Heart Foundation. All enquiries and donations to Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, 32, West Street, Congleton, 01260 277 622. (afinneron.co.uk).
WHITNALL (Jean Margaret). Passed peacefully on Saturday, 27th December 2025 at Newton Court Care Home, Middlewich, Jean, aged 92 years, of Congleton. The devoted wife of Geoff; loved mum of Steven, Anne and the late Julie; dear mother-in-law of Sandra and Jonathan; adored grandma of Charles, Emily, Lydia, Isabelle, Estelle, Lisa and Nicole, and cherished great-grandma of Noah, Leila, Charlie and Olivia. Jean will be sadly missed by her family, friends and all that knew her but fondly remembered. The funeral service will take place at Dunham Massey Crematorium on Monday, 2nd February at 12.45. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Cancer Research UK. Enquiries to John Garside and Son, Mountbatten House, Stonehouse Green, Congleton, 01260 298 829.
WILSON (Joseph Bailey). Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on 2nd January 2026, Joe, aged 90 years, of Sandbach. The beloved husband of Tricia and much-loved dad to Andrew and Catherine. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to MNDA and Parkinson’s UK. A service of thanksgiving is to be held at St Peter’s Church, Elworth, on Monday, 26th January at 3pm, following a private family burial. All enquiries to Williams and Lowe Funeral Directors, Field House, 40, Congleton Road, Sandbach, 01270 750 852.
