John Whitten London, Family Sadden from Loss of Loved One
On 29th July, family and friends will gather at St Michael’s Church in the quiet Devon village of Shebbear to celebrate the life of John. The service begins at 2.30pm, with those attending making their way afterwards to Berry Barns for a continued celebration among loved ones.
Every detail of this gathering, shared by his family — Ann, Ollie, Lew, Tia, Michelle and the wider family — speaks to who John was. This is not being called a funeral, but a celebration of life, and that choice of words carries weight. It tells us that John was someone whose memory his family wants marked with warmth rather than solemnity, with colour rather than black.
That sentiment comes through clearly in one particular request: mourners are asked to leave the black clothing at home. Football shirts, instead, are not just permitted but welcomed — with a cheeky nod towards Chelsea or Southend United, affectionately known as the Shrimpers. It’s a small detail, but it says a great deal. It suggests a man who found joy on the terraces, who likely spent Saturday afternoons following his team, and whose love of football was well known enough that his family felt it belonged at his farewell. A church filled with football shirts instead of formal black is a fitting image — proof that a life well lived can be honoured with a smile as easily as with tears.
In lieu of flowers, John’s family have asked that donations be made instead to Marie Curie, a charity dedicated to supporting people living with terminal illness and their families. Gifts can be given either on the day of the service or via the donation link the family has shared. It’s a gesture that turns grief into something lasting — support for others walking a similar road, in John’s name.
Shebbear itself, tucked away in rural Devon, is the kind of place where community still means something — where a church service and a gathering at a local barn bring people together in a way that feels personal, not performative. It’s easy to imagine that this was a fitting choice for John, a place where he was known, where he belonged, and where he will be remembered.
To John’s family — Ann, Ollie, Lew, Tia, Michelle and all those gathering on the 29th — our thoughts are with you. May the day be exactly what you hope it will be: a true celebration of a life that clearly meant so much to so many.