For sister Kasey Rose Winter, 3, there was a pale-pink coffin decorated with love-hearts, butterfly stickers and My Little Pony toys.

The bodies of [Jake Aden Winter], Kasey, their father Stephen and mother Sally were found by a relative at the family’s semi-rural home at Oakhampton Heights, near Maitland, 11 days ago. Police believe Sally Winter, 32, used a rifle to kill the children and her husband before turning the gun on herself.

A joint statement read out at the funeral detailed the lives of the family members. Stephen Winter’s love of his grandparents’ farm as a boy — feeding cows, collecting eggs and trying to ride pigs — was recorded, as was his occupation as a “decent mechanic”.

FOR four-year-old Jake Aden Winter there was a little pale-blue coffin with a painted wooden image of Bob the Builder attached to one end.

And for sister Kasey Rose Winter, 3, there was a pale-pink coffin decorated with love-hearts, butterfly stickers and My Little Pony toys.

More than 700 mourners packed into St Joseph’s Catholic Church in East Maitland in the NSW Hunter Valley yesterday for the funeral of all four members of the Winter family, who died in a murder- suicide.

The bodies of Jake, Kasey, their father Stephen and mother Sally were found by a relative at the family’s semi-rural home at Oakhampton Heights, near Maitland, 11 days ago. Police believe Sally Winter, 32, used a rifle to kill the children and her husband before turning the gun on herself.

The families of Mr and Mrs Winter were close, and despite the tragedy, were united in their grief during the dignified service.

A joint statement read out atthefuneral detailedthelives ofthefamily members. Stephen Winter’s love of his grandparents’ farm as a boy — feeding cows, collecting eggs and trying to ride pigs — was recorded, as was his occupation as a “decent mechanic”.      

Sally was remembered as a “fun-loving child” who in adulthood had determinedly pursued a career in nursing.

Father Brian Mascord recalled how the two had met while still at school and “shared a love of the outdoors”.

He told of the birth of the children and how they were quickly taught “the art of fishing and enjoyed

many camping trips with their mum and dad”.

The statement recalled the family’s love of the rural life, with the kangaroos that dotted their property coming to the back door to be fed by the kids.

“It didn’t take much to see the light that shone through their eyes. They brought so much joy into our lives. They left us with so many happy memories, too many to reflect on today. They will live on in our hearts forever.”

Problems within the marriage have emerged in the aftermath of the killing. It has been revealed that registered guns were seized from the family home after a domestic incident was reported to police last July.

The guns were returned later because a report of the incident, which had been recorded as a “verbal argument”, failed to lead to a prosecution or any action being taken, police said.

Police have confirmed the family had a history of domestic violence with both Mr and Mrs Winter applying for apprehended violence orders against each other in September last year. The applications were later withdrawn.