Funeral service for church elder and bowls enthusiast

Mr Whitten, who died suddenly on Friday aged 76, was an elder in Armagh Road Presbyterian Church.

He was also a keen bowler, playing in both the outdoor and indoor leagues and was a member of Portadown Bowling Club and a former president of the Irish Bowling Association.

A funeral service for Mr Whitten, who lived at Fernagreevagh Road, Loughgall, will take place in Armagh Road Presbyterian Church at 12 noon followed by interment in Loughgall Old Burial Ground.

He is survived by his wife Olive and sister Doreen.

Prayers for Mr Whitten’s family were said on Sunday evening in Thomas Street Methodist Church at the annual service of First Portadown BB Old Boys’ Association.

Mr Whitten was a member of the Old Boys’ Association for more than 50 years.

And at the Sunday morning service at Armagh Road Presbyterian Church, minister the Rev Christina Bradley said Mr Whitten did a lot of hard work behind the scenes for the church, quietly and without fuss.

“He will be sadly missed,” she added.