THE service of thanksgiving for the life of John Hellier (Jack), who died suddenly on July 28, aged 96, was held at Fairplace Church, Okehampton, on Friday August 6.

The Rev Irving Penberthy conducted the service, Roger Cleverdon was organist and tributes were given by Paul Hellier, son, Derek Allin, friend, and David Day, nephew. James Kelly, grandson, read a poem.

Chosen bearers were Paul Hellier, son, James Kelly, grandson, Tony Salmon, son-in-law and Roger Partridge, friend.

Paul informed the large number of sympathisers that his father, John, who was affectionately known as Jack, was born on October 30 1913 at Chudleigh Knighton. He was an only son of John and Elizabeth Hellier, tenant farmers at Bridford.

In his early life Jack and his parents moved around a lot, so Jack attended nine different schools. He left school at 14 and enrolled at the local Pilman College, where he mastered a shorthand and typing course in three months, leaving with an amazing speed of 180 words a minute. Jacks first job was with the Express and Echo newspaper in Exeter, and in 1935 he was promoted to be a district journalist and moved to Okehampton.

During his reporting work he met Marion who worked for the local post office. A whirlwind romance took place and in late 1938 they were secretly married at Baseford Nottingham. The outbreak of war in 1939 hastened a second marriage and this took place at Okehampton Parish Church in September 1939.

Prior to meeting Marion, Jack had joined the Territorial Army and on outbreak of war he was immediately mobilised and sailed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. In early 1940 he was returned to England for the ill-fated Anglo French attack on Norway. Jack was with the 55th Light Anti-Aircraft regiment and was stationed around the town of Narvik.

From arriving back in England to the end of the war his fighting days were over and Jack reported to his home barracks of Woolwich Arsenal. When the war ended he returned to his Okehampton work, Marion his devoted wife and family, Martin who tragically died when he was only three years old from a severe attack of measles, Paul, who was born in 1941, and later the family were delighted to welcome Caroline in 1948 and Louise in 1955.

Jack was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, he loved classical music, collected stamps, enjoyed Dartmoor, fishing, shooting and snooker.

In his home life he was witty, clever and had a wonderful knowledge of spelling, grammar, syntax and semantics. He was also a poet and limerick writer. Above all else Jack loved his work of being a reporter in the Okehampton area.

Paul concluded his tribute by saying his father worked for the people of Okehampton and as a family they were very proud of him.

Derek Allin in his tribute said he had known Jack for many years as a member of the Methodist Church and of Okehampton Mens Probus Club. He admired Jacks sense of humour and his integrity. Jack was the voice of Okehampton with his newspaper writings.

He was a member of the Royal British Legion Club, Okehampton Football Club and an early member of Okehampton Methodist Church. He was secretary for ten years of the Probus Club and Derek read some of Jacks old reports from the minute book, his use of the English language, his grammar and his descriptions were superb.

David Day, Jacks nephew, gave a glowing tribute to his uncle, saying he was his true friend and companion and they spent many happy hours together. He was a wonderful man who would be greatly missed and it had been a privilege to know him. He concluded by offering Marion and the family his continued love, affection, support and prayers in the days ahead.

Family mourners: Mrs Marion Hellier, wife; Paul Hellier, son; Caroline and Tony Salmon, daughter and husband; Louise Kelly, daughter; Wayne Salmon, grandson; Leanne Salmon, grand-daughter; James Kelly, grandson; Georgia Kelly, grand-daughter; David and Sheila Day, nephew and wife; Phillip White, nephew.

Unable to attend: Russell and Margaret Hellier, Marion and Don Davies, Mary Crowley, niece.

Sympathisers: Mr and Mrs M Morse (mayor and mayoress of Okehampton), Mr and Mrs J Cunliffe (family), M Astley (editor, Express and Echo), C Brent (editor, Okehampton Times, also rep A Venning, former editor, Cornish and Devon Post), G Moule, Mr and Mrs J Hawkins (Mrs M Venton), Linda Bellairs, P Northcott (Mrs G Northcott), Mrs E Hann, Miss M Kelly, Mrs L Locke, Mrs D Lendon (Mrs B Watts), Mr and Mrs R Bowden, Mrs B Friendship, Mrs A Richardson, Mrs J Allin, Mrs L Rattenbury (family), Mrs I Lee, Mrs K Sage, the Rev S Scarr, Mr and Mrs P Lodge, T Cann (Mrs P Cann), Mrs L Allin, Mrs H Letheren, Mrs P Partirdge, P Webb (Mrs S Webb), D Piper (Mrs E Piper and family), Mr and Mrs M Macdonald, Mrs M Woolacott (D Woolacott, Miss A Squire), Mr and Mrs J Stockwell, D Packer (Mrs R Packer), Mrs M Hillan, Mrs P Klenk, Mrs B Ashcroft (Okehampton and District Ladies Probus), Mrs S Banks, Mrs J Copeman (M Copeman), Mrs D Curtis, Ms J Sanders, Mrs B Ramsey (Mrs Hilary Lee), Mrs S Searle (Arnie Searle), Mrs A Pengelly (Eric Pengelly), Mrs K Curtis (M Curtis), Mr and Mrs R Campbell, Mrs P Feaver (J Feaver).

Okehampton and District Mens Probus Club: Derek Allin, Maurice Jeffreys (Mrs M Jeffreys), Peter Hammond, Tom Endacott (Mrs P Endacott, A Endacott, Mrs S Osborne), Mr and Mrs Ron Knowles, Bill Hennessey, Ray Vallance (Mr and Mrs Ernie Parrett and Okehampton and District Friendly Circle), Mr and Mrs Mike Wreford, Mr and Mrs Peter Woodgate.

Mr and Mrs W Yeo (Mr and Mrs N Davey, Mr and Mrs D Stephens), Mr and Mrs C Bater (Mr and Mrs John hodge, Mr and Mrs J Holland, Mrs C Sheppard).