downsmail.co.uk JohnWinchester


WILLIAM“John”Winchester (70) –who lived in Fauchens Lane, Bearsted for 11 years – spent decades in the local police serving as a cadet, constable and detective constable before finishing hisworking life as a civilian crime support officer. Sussex born, John was a talented sportsman and an accomplished cricketerwho played at county level as a schoolboy – facing future internationals likeAlan


Kno� and Derek Underwood – before joining Kent Police. Many tributes fromformer colleagues


say howthey regardedworkingwith him as both a pleasure and a privilege and, despite the nature of thework, he could bring laughter to the situation. John always had the ability to see the best in people and had a laugh and a smile for everyone. John continued his love of sport in


retirement and loved playing golf at Bearsted. Hewas devoted to all his family and leaves hiswife, Sharon, daughters Claire and Emma and granddaughters Ella, Lauren,Ava and Isla.


Rob Brown


ROBERT “Rob” Brown (42) of Kings Hill was an airline captain and notable athlete who qualified for theworld championships in ironman triathlon.


Born inWatford, Rob


moved to Di�on as a small boywith his family andwent on to be educated locally at Maidstone Grammar School. He studied


mechanical engineering at Loughborough


University and intended a career in the armed forces before the diagnosis of a thyroid complaint led to himbeing medically discharged fromthe RAF. Robwent on to train as an airline pilot


starting his careerwith BritishMidland and going on to fly for companies including Go and easyJet beforemoving to EmiratesAirlines. Robwasmarried to Kerry and the pair


se�led in Kings Hill 11 years ago, though they spentmost of the last five years living in Dubai.


The couple have one son, George. Kerry Brown said: “Robwas very


outspokenwith the kind ofwit and charm that could light up a roomand also a sense of humour thatmeant he could get away with inappropriate jokeswhen hewanted to.


“Hewas really strong-minded and


stubborn and dedicated to his athletics. He had completed 20 ironman events, and John O’Groats to Land’s End cycle ride for charity and other races. “He qualified for theworld triathlon


championships in Hawaii but a cancer diagnosis ruled himout of competing, thoughwe stillwent towatch the event.” Rob leaves hiswife and son.


Bruce Ernest Ealham


THE sudden death of formerMaidstone resident Bruce Ealham(64) has left family and friends shocked and devastated. Bruce lived locally from1975 to 1995. Born and raised in


Ashford, Brucemoved to the area towork as a typese�er for the KentMessenger Group andwhen he, alongwithmany of his colleagues,were made redundant in themid-eighties he continued to live


locally,whilst commuting to a new typese�ing job in London. Eventually, he moved to Lewishamto live closer to his newemployment. Brucewas father to Lucy, Katie and


Charles. Daughter Katie said: “My fatherwas a fit


and healthymanwho loved sports and played football locally forMalgo formany years.At different times, he enjoyed having a season ticket for CharltonAthletic and for The Oval,where he supported Surrey County Cricket.” A devoted familyman, Bruce leaves his


children and grandchildrenMatilda, Harper and Penelope.


Derek Hodge


DEREKMalcolmHodge (83) lived in Bearsted for 47 years, raising children Stephen and Sarahwith hiswife Ricky, who died in 2011. In 1971, Derek and Rickymoved from


north-west London to a newly built home on the Sandy Lane estate, off the Landway.


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Derekworked as a productionmanager


in the print trade and after his retirement, devoted his time to photography.With two other photographers he set upArchival Images Ltd,which specialised in photographing artifacts, including for MaidstoneMuseum. Hewas a notable


and respected member of the Maidstone Camera Club, andwas bestowed a lifetime


honorary vice-presidency in 2013. Derek leaves his children, and grand- childrenAidan, Lilybelle, Lucy and He�y.


Jeanee Hadlow TRIBUTES have been paid to Jeane�e Hadlow– a stalwart of Broomfield life. Jeane�e kept the keys for StMargaret’s


Church and undertookwork for the church until disability impeded her efforts. She remained highly supportive of thework done by her brother, Derek, for St Margaret’s. Her funeralwasmarked in the parishmagazine,which noted: “no effort was spared in preparing the church and flowers, the choir and organist performed beautifully”.


JoyceAnn Hunter


THE death has been reported in Dorset of JoyceAnn Hunter (84). Joyceworked locally for Seven Seas,


Sharps and Preston Hall Hospital.A local announcement noted “Joyce...will be remembered by friends inMaidstone. Never seenwithout her lipstick on.” Her funeral took place in Salisbury.


Beryl Beck


BERYl Beck (91) – born Brightman – lived in East Farleigh all her life. She a�ended East Farleigh and Loose schools before joiningMaidstone Technical School for Girls,where her love of dancing developed. After school she


worked for the Woolwich Equitable Building Society. It was there shemet her future husband, Eric, before hewas called up forWWII service. Theymarried and set


up home in Forge Lanewhere they raised a daughter and son, andwhere she lived until her death in November last year. Beryl helped at the local playgroup,was


a distributor of the parishmagazine and helped raisemoney for the annual Poppy Appeal. After Eric’s death in 1988, she took up


newinterests and joinedmany trips to West End shows and the ballet,whichwas perhaps her greatest love. She is survived by her son Christopher,


five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Son Christopher said: “Shewill be greatlymissed by everyone.”


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com 36 Malling January 2018


Obituaries


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