The funeral service for the late William Kenneth Furse ‘Ken’ took place on Tuesday, April 8, at Tregadillett Church of Christ the Cornerstone, followed by a private committal at Launceston Cemetery.

Jonathan Reynolds read Exodus 20 v7 and gave a personal tribute to Ken as a close neighbour and friend. Reverend John Haley officiated the service and read the eulogy, Mrs Sarah Vinson played the organ and Mr Roger Jones and Mr Clive Vinson were stewards.

Born on September 25, 1934, at North Kestle Farm, the only child of William and Annabella, William Kenneth Furse was always known simply as ‘Ken’. He went to school at Tregadillett but not so long after he started, World War II broke out and as a boy Ken was given time off to dig potatoes, part of the government’s Dig for Victory initiative. Not long after the end of the war, Ken left school and worked on the farm. He started by milking cows but he did not like that much and persuaded his father to keep pigs and chickens for eggs and beef cattle. Ken worked on his own farm but extended his work through agricultural contracting, doing whatever he could to keep busy and enhance his income. Ken became known for working with horse hay. He was known to be hardworking, trustworthy and dependable.

Still a young man, Ken met May Cobbledick. May was a great cook and joined Ken at the farm, helping to care for Ken’s ageing parents. Ken and May were together for more than 40 years until May died in 2002. An immense loss for Ken, something that he felt keenly for the rest of his life.

When Ken was a young man, car ownership was far less common than it is today. Ken learned to drive on the farm before the legal age of driving on the roads. He would take his parents out for the day and owned a succession of cars including a Standard Ensign and a Morris Oxford. In his early days, these were also a great hit with the girls. After he met May, the car was essential for their bed and breakfast holidays which took them all over Britain, particularly to Wales, Dorset and South Devon. Ken always enjoyed picnics and days out with family and friends. He loved children even though he had none of his own.

In more recent years, since May died, Ken has spent more time walking. He was friendly, a good conversationalist and able to get on with all sorts of people – not least with his ready wit. He always liked to see the funny side of life and was ready with some joke or quip. He lived a quiet life, kept reasonably good health and was always mentally alert. He followed Plymouth Argyle and enjoyed their victory over Liverpool.

For his 80th birthday, Ken went to the Elephant’s Nest at Mary Tavy where he was joined by his friends and former neighbours, Charlie and Margaret, who were like family to him. His second cousin, John, who many years earlier had dealt with him on hay, was also a loyal friend.

Last September, Ken made it to his 90th birthday but by December his health had started to decline. After a fall in January, he went into Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for two weeks before moving to Pendruccombe Nursing Home for a further four weeks. Thankful for the care he received, Ken died on March 1, 2025.

Bearers: Mr John Bolt, Mr Kevin Daniel, Mr Andrew Jones and Mr Rob Parish.

Mourners: Mr John Pengelly, Mr John and Mrs Audrey Bolt, Mrs Phyllis Davey (rep Brian), Mrs Doris Emmett, Mr Paul Pengelly, Mrs Ann Pengelly, Mr Andrew and Mrs Janet Pengelly, Mr Owen and Mrs Joyce Vanstone, Mr Andrew and Mrs Julie Parsons, Mr David Raffill from Wales, Nigel, David and Caroline Edwards, Mr Charlie and Mrs Margaret Reynolds, Mrs Rebecca Haynes (Mark), Mr Jonathan and Mrs Juvanni Reynolds (Mrs Peggy Johns), Mrs Lydia Steed (Clint).

General public: Mr and Mrs T and M Jones (Mr and Mrs B Jones), Mr and Mrs John Whale, Mr and Mrs C McDonald, Mr and Mrs A Stewart (M Sandercock), Mr and Mrs D Parish, Mr and Mrs Richard and Christine Austin, Vaughan, Tina and Fiona Sandercock (Sharon Sandercock and Anne Marie Turner), Mr Roger Jones (Sharman), Mr Michael Davey, Mr David Thomas (Thomas Family), Mr R Finnimore (David Jenkin), Mr A Finnimore (brother, David Finnimore), Mr C McDonald, Mr M Sanders, Mrs Jacqui and Emily Daniel, Mrs Jane Jones, Mrs Catherine Jones-Bastard, Mrs Dorothy Davey, Mrs Ruth Davis.