A Minister's Tertimony Concerning Mr Alton H Irish: (author unknown, edited for genealogical interest)
I became acquainted with Mr Irish less than two years ago. He attended my services several times in succession about 18 months ago and then dropped out. Wife and I called on Gladys the Housekeeper who accompanied him to church.
A few months ago Mrs Faith Bowen, an old fried of ours from Benkelman, became his housekeeper and they immediately began to attend church. I did not know his cancerous condition but did think he looked very pitiful. Mrs Dolly Angermeir, a sister to Mrs Art Irish, told me soon afterward of Al's condition.
On Sunday morning, Aug 5, Al's boyhood friend, Chester Silver, told me that he and his wife were going to call that afternoon on the sick man and asked me to go see him. They returned to tell me that Al wanted me to visit him the next morning. I found Mr Irish in a good mood. We prayed together. He then directed relatives to gather me some roasting ears and bring up some canned foods for me. He accompanied me to my car.
On Sunday, Sep 12, Chester Silver told me that Al was back from the hospital and pronounced incurable. Al wanted Silvers to visit him in McCook and they wanted me to accompany them which I gladly consented to do. When we arrived at the home of his sister Gertrude in McCook we found that he had just received a hypodermic and was supposed to rest. We were soon invited into the sickroom, however, by his sister.
Funeral services were conducted in the Al Irish home 3 miles east of Stratton at 10:30 am Saturday, Sep 18, 1937, in the Stratton Pilgrim Holiness Church at 10:45 am and in the cemetery near Reamsville, KS at 5:30 pm. At the home Mrs Edgar and Mrs Chester Silver sang. The pallbearers were Chester Silver, Oscar Miller, Perry Hunkins, and Mr Ragan, Mr Bailey and Mr Melchert. A large number of relatives attended the funeral.