Heartbreaking funeral service held for Eli Jack Pope

A heartbreaking funeral service has been held for a young dad after his sudden death.

Young dad Eli Jack Pope, 24, died unexpectedly on April 13, 2025.

During a heartbreaking funeral service, memories were shared of a beloved young father whose smile could light up any room, who was known as a “gangster” but had a kind and loving heart.

Young dad Eli Jack Pope, 24, died unexpectedly on April 13, 2025.

Mr Pope was the much-loved son of Michelle Howden, better known as Shelly, who died of a brain aneurysm on October 16, 2020, aged just 44.

At the time the senior project officer with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships was remembered as someone who worked for the betterment of indigenous people.

He was the loving dad of Levi and Marley.

Young dad Eli Jack Pope, 24, died unexpectedly on April 13, 2025.

Those gathered at the Fraser Coast Crematorium and Bayside Memorial Gardens heard that Eli had lived life to the full and had been a beloved son, father, brother and friend.

Eli had been born at Logan Hospital, with his grandmother cutting his umbilical cord when he arrived.

It marked the start of a close bond between the two, those gathered were told.

Eli had been a student at St James Lutheran College after his family moved to Hervey Bay and had grown up to be generous and caring, the mourners were told.

Young dad Eli Jack Pope, 24, died unexpectedly on April 13, 2025.

Tributes were shared for Eli, including a letter from a mate who couldn't be there.

Promises were made to name a child after him, to get a tattoo to remember him.

A poem was also shared in his memory.

One mourner joked that Eli had been seen by some as a “gangster” but he was really a “bubblegum gangster”.

Another mourner paying tribute spoke of Eli’s intelligence, adding that he had been “a special kid”.

His best friend spoke of his kind heart and his outgoing nature.

“He was such a unique person, he was always looking to make someone’s day, anybody’s day.

“That smile that lights up any room and it will forever do that.

“I’m going to miss you my brother and I hope you have fun up there.”

Eli’s brother Ethan then spoke to those gathered, remembering him as his “best mate”.

Through tears he remembered sharing everything with his brother, as well as the tragic loss of his mum five years ago.

Another friend said: “you felt cared for when Eli was around you”.

“Although he’s gone, I think we’ll all carry him for the rest of our lives,” she said.

To the sound of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car, a montage of photos from Eli’s life was then shown to those gathered before the service concluded with petals being placed on the casket.

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Originally published as Heartbreaking funeral service held for Eli Jack Pope