A well-known and highly respected resident of the town passed away early on Monday morning in the person of Mr. Joseph Darnell at the ripe age of 85 years. The first cause of his decline was influenza, which he contracted about 15 weeks ago, but by reason of his advanced age, he lacked the vitality to withstand it, and dropsy and heart weakness supervening, he gradually became weaker until he passed away. A sad feature of this bereavement is that immediately after Mr. Darnell’s death, his widow, who is 87 years of age, and who had removed to her son’s residence, was seized with a stroke of paralysis, which has robbed her of her speech, although she is quite conscious, and can recognise her relatives. The late Mr. Darnell, who was a native of Souldrop, had resided in Rushden 62 years, removing to the town when he was married at the age of 23. He was in his younger days a Militia man, and during the Crimean campaign was called up for service in Ireland. He was very proud to relate incidents of his soldiering days, and took a keen interest in the present gigantic struggle. He expressed a wish that he might live to see the success of the British arms. For upwards of fifty years he had been a total abstainer and a member of the Rechabite order. He was one of the pioneers of the Co-operative movement in Rushden, and one of the oldest members. The society have sent a letter to Mr. J. Darnell, junr. expressing sympathy with the widow and family. The late Mr. Darnell was a wonderful old gentleman, and was in possession of all his faculties right up to the time of his death. He could manage to read the newspaper without spectacles, and took a keen interest in the war news. The late Mr. Darnell leaves a widow, three sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. Two of the sons, Messrs. Chas. and Albert Darnell, are in Canada. One daughter, Mrs. Burrows, is also abroad, viz., at Melbourne, Australia. The funeral took place yesterday at the cemetery, the Rev. H. Stanley Southall conducting the obsequies. The coffin, of polished elm with brass fittings, bore the inscription:

JOSEPH DARNELL
Died March 5th, 1917
Aged 85 years.

The mourners comprised: Mr. Jos. Darnell, junr. (son) and Mrs. Proctor (daughter), Mrs. Jos. Darnell (daughter-in-law) and Mr. S. Darnell (grandson), Mr. and Mrs. F. Skeeles (grandson and granddaughter), and Mr. and Mrs. J. White (grandson and granddaughter). A beautiful wreath from the family was placed on the grave. Mr. Arthur Sanders was the undertaker.