This One's A Doozy... Ipad

Hi all, I have an Ipad 2 32gb wifi. I purchased this item from a man who's wife had passed. He didn't know any of her passwords etc so I reset and wiped out the device. I had no problems for a year or so until I updated the latest IOS 9 in which gave me the activation screen for the previous owner and due the the 'find my phone' feature I have been locked out and require the previous owners apple id and password.
I contacted apple and after a week of phone calls and emails, they tell me there is no way to get rid of this screen (we tried restoring thru itunes) unless I get the original owners official receipt. Unfortunately the deceased owners receipt has been thrown away and there simply is no way for me to retrieve it.
Their suggestion... buy a new one, to which I say bite me. They have no refurbishment option either. It was suggested that I could sell it for parts (really?).
Does anyone here have any ideas???? suggestions??? as it is now a drink coaster and not a very good one at that!
I am running Ubuntu 14.04LTS but have access to a windows 7 machine.

Thanks.