Obituary – Mr R Coleman – Loss to Conisborough Church Life (picture)

November 1931

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 November 1931

Obituary – Mr R Coleman

Loss to Conisborough Church Life

The death occurred on Saturday of Mr Richard Coleman, 13, Daylands Avenue, Conisborough, who for the past 6 ½ years had been assisting in church work in the Parise as licensed lay reader.

Mr Coleman, who was 59 years of age, was a native of Appledore (Kent) and after working on his father’s farm up to the age of 18, joined the Church Army and for seven years travelled in the Worcester Mission Van.

Subsequently he worked for 11 ½ years in the parish of Saint Mary at Hill, Prebendary Carlile’s Church in Eastcheap, and was then moved to the Church Army headquarters at the Marble Arch.

After three and half years at headquarters, Mr Coleman went to Preston but he continued his work in connection with the Church Army until his health broke down after he had spent 6 ½ years there.

He was compelled to spend the next four years resting, and then came to Conisborough nearly 7 years ago in the capacity of lay reader during the vicariate of the Reverend W.A. Strawbridge. He has been very popular in Conisborough where his work has brought him into close contact with all classes of people. He was in charge of the Conisborough branch of the Band of Hope, did a great deal of work in connection with the Sunday School, and was very interested in the Young Men’s Club.

The Vicar of Conisborough, the Reverend Harry Lee, spoke in appreciative terms of his services, to a “times” representative, and said, “He has been a keen and tireless worker in the parish I was very well known and well liked in Conisborough.”

The vicar of Denaby Main (the Reverend S Powley) made a sympathetic reference to the death of Mr Coleman in the course of his chairman in the Denaby Main Parish Church on Sunday evening, recall that Mr Coleman had often occupied that pulpit.

Mr Coleman leaves a widow and a married daughter.

The funeral took place on Wednesday at Conisborough, a service been held in the Parish Church.