Preece Family Tree

DEATH OF MR. GEORGE DEACON

44 Years with Well-known Lichfield Builder

Lichfield has lost a well-known and highly respected citizen by the death, which occurred on Saturday, in the Birmingham General Hospital, following an operation, of Mr. George Deacon of Friary Avenue.

Deceased, who was in his 71st year, came to Lichfield about 1902 to join the firm of builders and contractors established by his late brother, Ald. J. R. Deacon, with whom he was connected until his retirement about six years ago. Mr. Deacon also assisted in the formation of another local firm and was partner in the firm of Deacon and Littleford, metal workers, Lombard Street, from its formation.

Unlike his late brother, Mr. Deacon did not take a prominent part in the public life of the city, but he was a member from its formation of the Lichfield and District Chrysanthemum Society, giving valuable assistance at the Society's shows. His principal hobbies were gardening and poultry keeping. He is survived by a widow, one son and a daughter.

The Funeral

The funeral took place at St. Chad's Church on Wednesday, when the service was conducted by Preb. H. S. Cresswell, Vicar of St. Mary's. The family mourners present were: wife (Mrs. E. Deacon), son (Mr. G. W. Deacon), daughter (Miss D. I. Deacon), Ald. and Mrs. A. Deacon (Banbury) brother and sister-in-law, Mrs. G. W. Deacon (daughter-in-law), Miss M. Deacon (grand-daughter), Capt. G. A. Deacon (Godson), Lt. Col T. J. R. Deacon (nephew), Miss A. Salt (sister-in-law), Mrs. B. Deacon (Kington) sister-in-law, Capt. J. Deacon (Kington) nephew, The Mayor and Mayoress (Cllr. and Mrs. A. W. Handford) nephew and niece, Miss E. Adams (Warwick) sister-in-law, Mr. J. Sinclair, Mr. E. Wooley and Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Littleford.

The bearers were Messrs. F. Welbourne and S. Craddock (Deacon and Littleford), G. Barnes, A. Baker, G. Deakin and T. Wakelin (J. R. Deacon, Ltd).

Amongst those present in church were: Mr. F. E. Boardman (representing Messrs. Deacon and Boardman of Walsall), Mr. J. Wait (representing the Lichfield Chrysanthemum Society), Messrs. F. H. Gillett, J. C. Sutton, J. Salford, W. Oakley, G. Thorley, W. Walker, T. H. Walker, J. Milner and A. Nightingale (representing the office and works staff of J. R. Deacon Ltd), Mrs. J. E. Hurst (also representing Dr. J. E. Hurst), Mr. H. Colclough, Mr. T. Spencer, Mr. S. J. Brown, Miss A. A. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. E. Hatchett, Mr. and Mrs. A. Seedhouse, Mr. and Mrs. E. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Knight, Mrs. A. Cartmale, Mr. H. C. Hiskins, Mrs. J. W. Page, Mr. J. Evans, Mr. A. M. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Ivison, Mr. W. Griffin, Mr. A. G. Whiting, Mr. A. Young, Mr. A. E. Barker, Mr. G. Hurd and Mr. M. T. Wichelow, etc.

Floral Tributes

Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the following: Widow; George and Millie; Doris and Jack; Mary and David; Arthur, Daisy and family (Banbury); Beatrice (kington); Arthur, Evelyn, John and Betty (Kington); Tony; Theo; Evelyn (Oakleigh); Arthur, Marjorie and Diana; Ernest and Ethel (Warwick); Nellie and Jinnie (Stechford); Nance (Birmingham); Ethel and Arthur (Warwick); Nellie and Charlie (Leamington); Aubrey and Bertha; Thurza, Ethel and Maud (Atherstone); Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Littleford; Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Hurst; Ted, Kay, Heather and Rosemary; Mr. and Mrs. Shufflebotham; Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Shirley and Alice; Ald. and Mrs. R. J. Nevill; President Committee and Members, Lichfield Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society; Mr. and Mrs. H. Gilliver; J. R. Deacon Ltd., Lichfield; R. Boston and J. H. Bull; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bishop; Joiners Shop, Machinists and Fitters, J. R. Deacon Ltd.; Workmen of W.O. Maintenance Section, J. R. Deacon Ltd.; Charlotte; Mr. and Mrs. C. Maycock (Friary Avenue); Members Office Staff, J. R. Deacon Ltd.; All at Gala Fields Nursery; Mrs. Hewitt and family; Mr. and Mrs. S. Lintern and Brian; Mr. and Mrs. W. Griffin (Will and family); Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gape; Mrs. Jeffries; Nan, Jen, Ted and E. Hatchet; Lily and Norman Waine and Rhoda; Mr. and Mrs. Wichelow (Dimble House); H. Colclough; Fred, Stan, Dennis and Gerald; Deacon and Littleford; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Slater and Raymond.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. F. M. and J. Wait.