The funeral service of William John Shadrick took place at Holsworthy Methodist Church followed by interment in Holsworthy Cemetery.

Rev Meg Slingo conducted the service with Mrs Margaret Stacey the Methodist Church organist.

Tribute read by Annette Dennis. ‘Memories of Grandad’ was read by Jordan Oke.

William John Shadrick — known to all as John.

John's story begins at Waterlands Farm Bradworthy. A bouncing baby boy born to Leo and Grace Shadrick on July 21, 1940.

The family moved from Waterlands to Southcoombe Holsworthy were John spent the majority of his life. The family increased to four when John's sister Elizabeth was born. He attended Holsworthy Primary and Secondary schools.

John's love of farming and agricultural from an early age was evident and to encourage like minded youngsters he was a founding member of the Clawton Young Farmers Club.

Never being afraid of hard work or a challenge not only did John work on the farm but also took on extra employment with Kivells working in Bideford and Holsworthy Markets, was a groundsman for Holsworthy Hamlets and spent an enormous amount of time helping Des and Alec at Cranbury.

When it came to hobbies John had a gift for rolling a straight ball playing for Hollacombe Skittle Team. However, his talent didn't stop there, he was also a graceful glider on the dance floor. At Old Time and Sequence dancing in 1968 he won top prize — the heart of young lady by the name of Shirley Bennett who became the light of his life. John and Shirley were married on March 28, 1970. They set up home at Southcoombe. And within a few years they were blessed with daughters Sue and Di.

When Southcoombe was sold, John and Shirley's new home was just a matter of a few hundred yards down the road from the farm.

Sadly Shirley passed away on March 28, 2012, their 42nd wedding anniversary. With the loving help of family and friends John slowly dealt with this great loss.

John had several interests, the greatest of this was spending a day hunting with son-in-law Andrew and other family members taking along his infamous lunch box. John was involved with helping Holsworthy Motor Club events held at Southcoombe. Collecting for Holsworthy Show, intending to do half a dozen calls of an evening but ending up doing only two. Well it would have been rude not to sit, drink a cup of tea and chat. The Vintage Rally was another of John's loves especially the old tractors.

John and Shirley took several holidays with Hemmings, travelling many miles with their good friends Harold and Pat. John was also a 'Wingman' for Harold when collecting implements for sales. John being the navigator — not sure they always went the direct route.

Alec put together a few 'Memorable Moments of on the Farm with John'”

“For as long as I can remember John has been a big part of our family. John was one of the most conscious, hardworking and had the most impeccable time keeping, which would shame most youngsters today! Seasonal work did however, bring some memories which I can sit and smile upon.

“Fencing — Who was going to pull the wire and who was going to hit the staple resulted in a lot of cuts and bruises.

“Rolling — John in one field and me in another, I was quite proud I had rolled 4 fields however upon my return, I was aghast that John was still in the same field!

“Back in the yard, discussing our achievements, he informed me that I had completely wasted a day by going too fast and that he hadn't missed an inch.

“Later that evening, after inspecting the work to see where I went wrong, he was right he hadn't missed an inch, but 90 per cent of the fence posts were leaning at 45 degrees!

“Silaging — John loved turning and actually got excited a month prior to the event! When the time came, he would set off with a haybob, in a tractor with no air conditioning, whilst I went in the other direction with the eight star tedder.

“This met his disapproval as he would reallv of liked a go with the eight star but with recent memories of the fencing after rolling, a weapon of 30ft wide made me refuse.

“Collecting Bales - Every time I'm in a silage field for the rest of my life I will chuckle to myself, the only way I can describe it was that it looked like Dancing On Ice. John with the tractor and frailer and myself with the handler. You would think this should be very straightforward, however this was not the case.

“As John pulled up, me with the bale ready, John stopped. I approached the trailer but just as I got there it would all begin again and he would then decide to move forward 2ft, so I would then reverse to readjust the placing of the bale.

“Unknown to me that during this time, John was realizing his mistake and was trying to select the correct gear to rectify the position. This he managed to do, just as I was placing the bale down - so I had to start again and so did John!

“When you have 300 bales and only 200 days till the autumn it did make me wonder if we would ever get this done. Reversing the empty trailer out of the bag pit was also a cause for concern but when I had already increased the gateway to reverse out of to 30ft - the shed was still in danger. I then took the bad decision to assist in this manoeuvre which in hindsight was a very bad move as I was bluntly told 'I'm perfectly capable' !

“General maintenance — John was by far one of the most hard working and determined man I knew. It was recalled to me by Mike Heale (who at the time was repairing a cake bin in the parlour) John was pushing the tin with his foot whilst Mike was drilling the hole for the rivot. It was in the calmest voice possible John stated to Mike 'You need to stop now'. Mike asked what's wrong and John replied 'You've drilled through my boot and sock and in my foot'.

Mike was horrified at this point and slowly started to rewind the drill by hand to release John. But as always, John would never give in, never back down from anything and wouldn't see a doctor. Twas only by the end of the day did we manage to take off his boot to reveal a claret red sock.

“I will miss John, my friend and agricultural advisor, terribly. A chat on the bench resulted in several comments of looking like The Last of the Summer Wine, but he would never decline any job and he loved his time at the farm, especially tinkering, which we both wasted what seemed a lifetime!”

‘Memories of Grandad’ was read by Jordan Oke.

“It's never easy to say goodbye to someone who has had such a profound impact on our lives. Grandad wasn't just my grandad he was a source of endless love, wisdom, laughter, blue ribands, and mints. Words can't begin to capture the depth of loss felt every day without him. I miss hearing his voice on the other end of the phone whenever anyone needed anything, and I feel an ache in my heart when I think back to the best of days spent with the best man I ever knew. This past Christmas was the first year he wasn't there, I'd always remember him catching us sneaking chocolates off the tree, though, of course, he didn't stop us with his cheesy grinn on his face. I'll always treasure our hunting trips, our Saturdays together, and Grandad's signature lunch: a spam sandwich, ready salted crisps, a saffron bun always wrapped up in kitchen roll, and the biggest flask of tea you could imagine. I'm lucky to have so many memories to hold on to. Hours spent watching Ferguson Tractors on a Sunday afternoon, the slow drives home from school always thinking we was going to be late to get the cows, as he drove at snail pace and the vintage rallies he took us too. He'd bring me along to ride with Dad in the tractor after school, Radio Devon and his Wurlitzer CD always blasting through the radio at lunchtime whilst eating the classic sausage and mash, I'm glad to say I didn't inherit that Radio Devon passion! These memories, and so many more, bring me incredible love and fulfilment because Grandad truly believed he could never get enough time with us. Now, we're the ones wishing for just a moment more a moment to see him pull another caramel wafer from his pocket. The last words he said to me were a question about how my shooting was going, which sums him up perfectly always asking about others, always checking in with those he loved, even when he wasn't doing well himself. As we walked away from his bed for the last time, he gave us a big thumbs up. Thank you for the laughter, the endless supply of chocolates and Jammie Dodgers, and the unwavering love and support you gave us all. You wili be missed forever, but your spirit will remain in our hearts, in our smiles, and in our laughter as we remember the good times. Rest in peace, Grandad. Until we meet again, I'll love you always.”

John was verv much a family man, extremely proud of his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grand children, never failing to be interested in what they were doing: delighted to be in their company. Always smiling, never more happy than to be helping out.

A kind gentle and loving gentleman who will be sadly missed by all.

Mourners: Sue and Andrew Oke, Di and Darren Jennings, daughters and son in laws; Hayley Oke, Jordan Oke, Bradley Ley, (rep Mr N Ley) Abbey Comer and Amy Osborne, grandchildren and partners; Liz and George Metherall, sister and brother in law; Richard and Elizabeth Bennett, Alan and Angela Barriball (Rep Mrs P Barriball), brother in laws and sister in laws; Jo Metherall, Hannah Metherall, Sarah Bell, Jamie Barriball and Clive Bennett, nephew and nieces; Mrs A Dennis, Mrs K Shadrick (Rep Mr N Shadrick, Mr and Mrs D Webber, Mrs E Vickery) Mrs E Buckingham, Mrs M Millman, Mrs T Priest (Rep Family), Mrs A Shadrick, Mr A Shadrick (Rep Mrs M Shadrick and Mrs K Shadrick), Mr M Johns (Rep Jilt and Deborah) Mr B Shadrick, Mr T Duke (Rep Mrs Duke, Miss A Duke, Mr M Ruby, Mr and MrsJ Gardener) Mr R Shadrick, , Mr M Shadrick, Mr A Shadrick, Mr N Shadrick Mr R Priest (Rep Mrs L Priest), Mr C Duke and Miss C Heaton, Mr and Mrs M Priest (Rep Mr and Mrs F Priest and Family — Canada) Mr and Mrs M Shadrick, Mr and Mrs M Vanstone, Mr and Mrs Kelvin Isaac, Mr and Mrs Jerry Tucker, cousins; Mrs V Schubert Mr and Mrs H Jones (Rep Miss S Griffiths), Mr and Mrs G Daniel, Mr and Mrs D Oke, Mr and Mrs T Jennings, family friends.

Unable to attend: Miss Isabelle Oke and Miss Lot-He Oke (great granddaughters), Mr Harry Reed (brother in law), Miss Carol Bennett (niece) Mr Zerran Bell (nephew), Master Jack Bell (great nephew), Miss Rosie Metherall, Miss Lucie Bell and Miss Avalon Barriball (great nieces), Mrs Sylvia Duke, Mrs Violet Duke (aunts).

Bearers: Bradley Oke, Luke Shadrick, Matt Shadrick (grandsons); James Lee (Hayley's fiancé); Robert Metherall and Steven Metherall (nephews).

General public attending: Mr Richard Heal (Mrs Gill Heal, Mrs and Mrs Phil Heal), Mr C Clarke, Mr Jason Quance, Mr Richard Cleave (Mr W J Cleave), Mr Stan Hopper, Mr Anthony Mayall, Mr Les Gould (Arleen Gould), Mr Keith Hutchings (Mrs Lindsey Hutchings), Mr Clive Barriball (family), Mr Colin Martin (Mary Martin, Mr and Mrs Peter Fry). Mr Butt, Mr Mike Heale (family, Mr J Smeeth and Mr James Morrish), Mr Philip Cleave, Mr Paul Martin (Mr Grenville Martin), Mr Martin Sexton (Mrs Jenny Sexton), Mr Paul Martin, Mr Giles Brown (Mr Edward Brown), Mr Brian Yelland (Jennifer Kneebone), Mr Steve Jones (family), Mr Crispin King, Mr Brian Stevens (Kath) Mr Dick Dingle (Mr and Mrs N Cowling and A Bit O' Luck), Mr R M Heard Mr and Mrs Michael Cornish, Mr and Mrs Trevor Jones, Mr and Mrs Henry Bassett, Mr and Mrs John Pearce, Mr and Mrs Stephen Oke, Mr and Mrs Philip Hawking (Mary Hawking), Mr and Mrs Andrew Copplestone (family and Holsworthy Motor Club), Mr and Mrs Richard Reader (Mrs and Mrs D Lake). Mr and Mrs Mike Hawking (Mr and Mrs Caudwell), Mr and Mrs Simon Heal, Mrs Janice Bennett, Mrs Sylvia Rogers (Lynn), Mrs Jenny Cocks (Mr Brian Cocks), Mrs Janet Pratley, Mrs Winnie Dunn (Mrs June Higgins), Mrs Anne Luxton (South Tetcott Hunt), Mrs Debbie Hatch (Mr Colin Hatch), Angela Barriball (Susan Barriball), Mrs Margaret Jones (Mr Terry Jones), Mrs R Jones (M Jones), Mrs Nicola Betambeau, Mrs Sheila Cleave, Mrs Darryl Headdon, Mrs Margaret Matthews (Mrs Edna Barriball), Mrs Shirley Jones (Mr Shaun Jones and Family) Mrs Adelaine Gould (Rep All at Broomhills), Mrs Di Stevens (family).