John Dafydd Richards -
Passed away suddenly but peacefully at his home, Bronallt, Llanfihangel on 18 - th - May 2010 aged 90. Born at yr Allt Pontllogel in January 1920 and before his first birthday the family moved to Penyrallt, where he spent the next 70 years. He was the only son and the third child of six to Philip Owen and Jane Ellen Richards. He attended Ysgol Pontllogel until he was 14 apart from a short time in 1929 he attended Ysgol Llangadfan when he lived with his great Uncle and Aunt at Ffriddnewydd when his mother died. During the first two decades of his life he ,along with his older sister Margaret Phyllis and his younger sister Elizabeth Ellen met with numerous family losses. His eldest sister Sarah Jane aged 10 years and his youngest sister died aged 10mths and another younger sister Mair Myfanwy lost her life aged 20 years while serving in the WRAF during the second world war. He had also lost both his parents by his mid teens. He left school in 1934 to work on local farms including Fachwen Fach, Brynderwen, Neuadd Ddu. Just before the World War Two he joined the Roads section of the Montgomeryshire Council, on the roads and in the Quarries. During the War he worked at Llwydiarth Hall when the Warag ran part of the estate. He also was a Lance Corporal in the Home Guard at Pontllogel. His next area of work was with Mr Henry Davies, Celyn Mawr following the Threshing Machine around the farms in the district. He also worked at Fachwen Fawr, Cuddig and Bryngogledd before joining the Forestry Commission in 1948. He also farmed the holding at Penyrallt. In 1948 he married Gwladys Mary Lloyd from Llanwddyn and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1998 and later that year he was widowed. He was a lifelong member of Sardis Chapel and a member of Brynfedwen Plygain Party. He supported his local community at Pontllogel and served as the Treasurer of Llwydiarth Village Hall for over 30 years, the treasurer of the War Memorial Committee at Llanfihangel.
There was a large attendance at the funeral service at Sardis Chapel followed by internment at Llwydiarth Cemetery on May 29 - th - 2010 officiated by Rev. Raymond Hughes, assisted by Rev. Gwilym O. Jones, Rev. Peter Williams and Rev Sue Lawler.The organist was Mrs Gwenfron Jones and the precentor Mrs Menna Rowlands. Bearers were Berwyn and Carwyn Roberts, Gary, Simon Richards and Alwyn Richards, grandsons, Rhodri Jones, grandson in law. The ushers were Maldwyn Davies, Thomos H. Davies, Brian Parry, Delwyn Jones, John H. Lloyd, Alwyn Watkins, Glyn Roberts, Henry Hughes, Emyr Jones.
Family mourners were Gwyndaf and Eirlys Richards, Emyr and Laura Richards, Ellen and John Roberts, Philip and Carole Richards, sons in law and daughter in law, Vera Davies (stepdaughter), Annwen, Angharad, Alwyn, Julie, Meleri, Elliw Haf, Berwyn, Eurgain, Sioned, Llinos, Carwyn, Gail, Gary, Simon, Lindsey, Eleri, (grandchildren) Hywel, Aled, Trisha, Tracey, Zoe, Helen, Ioan, Rhodri, Anna,Tom and Llion, (partners/spouses).Pamela, Clive and Tina, Jane (stepgrandchildren).Mabli, Rhiannon, Tomos, Rhys, Harri, Iwan, Dylan, Sion, Ethan (great-grandchildren) Christina (step greatgrandaughter). Margaret Phyllis Johnson (sister) and Byron and Sue Johnson, nephew (unable to attend), Mair Cousins representing Helen, Jennifer, Sally, Richard, Wendy and Sally and their families. Dewi and Jane Johnson, representing Gerallt, John and Hawen and their families. John Richards, rep David and Gwenfa Richards, Frank and Myfanwy Morgan. John C. Richards, Criselda Watkins rep Irene Jones, Eulwen Richards, Brian Richards rep. Rev Trefor Richards, Canada, Elfyn and Meirwen Lloyd, Lenoard Lloyd, Maldwyn Lloyd also rep. Humphrey and Dilys Evans, Mair Evans, Eurwen Roberts and Gwynant Lloyd.(Cousins). Elfyn and Eirlys Jones Ella Lloyd (sisters in law), Megan Jones, Linda Jane a Neil Jones, Eirian a Brian Dafis, Bethan Lloyd Owen, Richard Lloyd, Eleri Llwyd a Geraint Jones, Ionwen (rep) Thomas John Jones, Mair a Arwyn Jones (rep) Rhiannon Clee, David Knowles, Preston (rep) Maureen, Marie, Eluned, Vilmai, Glyn and Tracey Jones (rep) Olwen, Gwenno and Alwyn, (nephews and nieces) Rose Marie and Peter Sharpe, (rep) Bryan Watkin, Jean Vavere, Trebor and Carol Jones and many other relatives, friends and neighbours were present. Floral tributes were received from the immediate family.
Thanks: The family wish to thank everyone for the kindness and sympathy expressed to them through many cards, letters, visits, telephone and all who attended the Service. Thanks to all who took part in the service led by Rev. Raymond Hughes, to all the ushers at Sardis and at Llwydiarth Cemetery, Mrs Megan Jones for the flower arrangements in Sardis and for the generous donation which amounted to £1,280 to be shared between Sardis Chapel and Llwydiarth Cemetery Fund. Thanks to the Funeral Directors I.Jackson & Sons. Diolch yn fawr i bawb.