The emotion charged service full of heartfelt and tearful tributes from Mr Lees' family highlighted his lifelong devotion to his children and grandchildren.

In her eulogy, close family friend Betty Stroud told mourners of Mr Lees' dedication to his beloved Wesley Church, his passion for theatre and his tireless commitment to the community.

"When I think of this church and Howard it's hard to separate one from the other, as Howard has been part of this church for as long as I can remember," she said.

The Lees and Stroud families have had lengthy connections with the Wesley (former Methodist) Church.

"Howard's family connections go almost back to the very beginning of the Methodist Church in Dubbo," Ms Stroud said.

One of her earliest memories of Mr Lees was in stage revues put on by the church in the 1940s and '50s.

"Howard was an inaugural member of the Wesley House players when the group formed in 1969," Ms Stroud said.

A great love of comedy led Mr Lees to seek out comic parts in the plays - one standout performance was in the second production of South Pacific.

"His portrayal of Luther Billis in the second production was a standout gem," Ms Stroud said.

"He was dressed at one stage in a grass skirt, coconut bra and a huge ship painted on his stomach."

Ms Stroud said Mr Lees onstage performances were not his only attribute as he often worked tirelessly behind the scenes constructing and painting sets.

Mr Lees commitment to community was evident in the many hours he spent preparing the Wesley Centre for functions and cleaning up afterwards.

He was a regular at the church working bees and a member of numerous committees.

"I've known Howard to be up before dawn preparing the hall for a function and returning late that night to pack away the chairs and clean the toilets in readiness for the next day," Ms Stroud said.

"Howard never sought praise or acclamation for the work he did.

"But today I want to pay tribute by thanking him for the example he set."

Mr Lees is survived by his wife Wenda, his sons David and Philip, his daughter Kerin Stonestreet and their children.