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Work accident victim (33) laid to rest five weeks after his wedding

The funeral of Jonathan Peden makes its way into Donaghcloney Elim Church. Picture by Hugh Russell
The funeral of Jonathan Peden makes its way into Donaghcloney Elim Church. Picture by Hugh Russell The funeral of Jonathan Peden makes its way into Donaghcloney Elim Church. Picture by Hugh Russell

MOURNERS at the funeral of a Co Down man who died just weeks after getting married have heard how he "left his mark on many hearts".

Jonathan Peden (33), from Donaghcloney, died in a workplace accident at Little Electrical Engineers in Lurgan last Thursday.

On Monday, his wife Roisin walked behind her husband's coffin as it made its way into Donaghcloney Elim Church, just five weeks after the pair had walked down the aisle.

A packed church and hundreds more outside were told by Pastor Ken Davidson of a "big, tall gentleman who was gentle and quiet, but loving and wore his heart on his sleeve".

He said Jonathan was good and kind and even as a child never brought trouble to his parents' door.

A man who "loved his sport", he was chairman of the Ballymena branch of Blackburn Rovers supporters club and following his death a shirt printed specially by the club with his name on the back was given to his "devastated" family.

The congregation also heard that Jonathan was a regular participant in the weekly Craigavon Parkrun, where he first met Roisin.

The pastor told mourners that as soon as she saw Jonathan she was "going to have him" and he "became a strength to her in times of difficulty".

"Roisin says 'I will always have a piece of him with me'," Pastor Davidson said .

"You have left your mark on many hearts and a piece of you will be left with many."

Heartfelt tributes were also paid by Jonathan's two younger brothers - Andrew, who recited a poem, and Adam, who previously described his brother as his "first idol in life".

Friend and work colleague Paul Silcott also sang during the service.

Mr Peden was laid to rest afterwards in Donacloney Presbyterian graveyard.

On Saturday members of Craigavon Parkrun wore black and had a minute's silence and spontaneous applause in his memory.

In a statement following Mr Peden's death, Little Electrical Engineers said it was "the first time an accident of this nature has occurred and it is all more painful because it is the death of a much-loved and respected member of our staff".

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the accident.