THE bells of Lowe House Church chimed to the cup final hymn Abide with Me, Saints greats were among the pallbearers, and the coffin was carried from church to the sounds of When the Saints Go Marching In.

The funeral of Denis Whittle on Monday was befitting a man, who poured so much of his life into following rugby league, Saints and the sport's great personalities.

And the love the town has for the Star's former rugby league correspondent was reflected by the magnificent turnout for the mass at the North Road church.

But this was also an occasion that remembered Denis, who died at the age of 85 earlier this month, as a devoted husband, family man, friend and churchgoer.

The service, led by Father Tom Gagie, heard how Denis was husband to "the love of his life" Margaret, who passed away in 2003 aged 67, and how the pair would now be reunited.

It heard of the influence and love he gave to stepdaughters Catherine and Hilary.

A procession of former servicemen from the Royal British Legion marched ahead of the hearse that took Denis to Lowe House, where many of the faces among the congregation reflected his love of rugby league.

Saints captain Chris Joynt and ex-player Neil Holding were among the pallbearers.

And inside the church were rugby league personalities including Saints chairman Eamonn McManus, Ray French, Peter Harvey, and historian Alex Service. There were also members of the Star's team past and present who worked with Denis when he served this newspaper with distinction from 1989 until 2001.

St Helens Star: Former Star sports writer Denis Whittle is pictured here with his wife Margaret with the Challenge Cup in the Saints boardroom, the day after the 1996 Wembley triumph.Former Star sports writer Denis Whittle is pictured here with his wife Margaret with the Challenge Cup in the Saints boardroom, the day after the 1996 Wembley triumph.

In an eulogy, Allan Rooney, the BBC Radio Merseyside rugby league correspondent, said: "Denis Whittle was a good man and a good husband to Margaret who thought the world of him.

"He also loved going to church and he never lost his faith or belief that when the time came he would see Margaret again."

The church also heard anecdotes about Denis, a keen cyclist and table tennis enthusiast, a sport which he played until he was 70.

Paul Whittle, his nephew, who delivered a moving tribute that had been penned from America by Denis' lifelong friend John Harrison, said: "Denis was respected for what he did, what he knew, what he said and the way he said it."

Father Gagie added: "He was a very friendly person, which I'm sure we are grateful for and he took to heart what being a Christian is."

To conclude the service Denis' coffin was carried back out of church, fittingly to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In.