The unusual blue marble stone marked the resting place of well-known builder Colin Bishop, who died just before Christmas in 2016 at the age of 60.
Wife Linda and daughter Claire went to visit the grave on Christmas Eve and discovered that the horizontal stone, along with the vase of flowers set on top, had vanished.
According to Mrs Bishop, there were tyre tracks visible on the grass lining the pathway next to the grave which, because the marble is heavy, would indicate that the stone may have been removed and driven away in a car or van.
She immediately contacted East Hampshire District Council, which maintains and operate the Old Odiham Road cemetery, and the police, who are investigating the incident.
The stone, which had only been in place since February this year, bore the gold lettered inscription: ‘Colin Bishop: In loving memory of a dear husband and father. Forever in our hearts and our thoughts.’
Already struggling to deal with the first anniversary of her husband’s death, Mrs Bishop is extremely upset about the incident. She said: “All I ask is for the person who took the stone to put it back, so that Colin can be left to rest in peace.”
In a statement, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that they had received a report stating that the stone had been stolen sometime between Thursday, December 21, when a family member had visited the grave, and Christmas Eve.
Police are asking anyone who has any information about the incident to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 44170497701.