A fitting farewell for the man who had lived his life according to  “the three F’s: farming, faith, and family.” 

“Faith and family were always at the top. He always believed God had a plan for his life,” said eldest son Martin Honner.

Born September 2, 1936 in Junee, Mr Honner, his long failing health caught up to him on November 20, 2018.

Since May, he had resided by good hands in Junee’s hospital.

Beginning school in Wantiool, it was a horse and sulky that delivered Mr Honner and his sisters, Nora and Gay, each morning.

The rustic transport replaced when eventually attending St Joseph’s Primary, Illabo Public and St Gregory’s Sydney.

A tribute to his roots, Mr Honner served more than 60 years in the Wantiool bushfire brigade.

“He was always very proud of Junee and its districts, but he was always a humble man. Other people were always more important to him,” said his eldest son.

Enjoying a loving marriage for 50 years, when his wife Manda, became ill, Mr Honner was her dedicated carer.

He was constantly by her bedside in hospital before she died in 2014. 

As one of the first in the district to recognise that direct drilling could eradicate soil erosion, his contribution to farming was immeasurable. Especially with his Poll Dorset sheep stud.

“He would spend countless nights and days, going around his ewes and making sure all the lambs were all OK,” said youngest son Stephen.

“I think we’ll miss just having him there. Dad had a great memory and could tell us stories from way back in a lot of detail,” said his daughters.

He will be forever loved by his children, Martin and wife Megan, Rebecca and husband Chris, Elizabeth and partner Sascha, Nicholas (deceased 1983), Stephen and wife Philippa.

His grandchildren Jamie, Eli, Ingrid, and Declan, and his sisters Gay Commins and Nora Christie.