Wrong Date
Leroy Irwin, a 92-year-old farmer living in Allegan, Michigan, decided to have the dates of his life carved on his gravestone before he died, because (having no children) he wasn't sure who would pay to do it after he died.
He carved the dates 1856-1950, but it turned out he was a little too optimistic. He died in November 1949, seven weeks shy of reaching 1950.
Update: To answer Patty's question (in the comments), the incorrect date wasn't changed. Leroy Irwin's grave (with the wrong date) remains standing in Hudson Corners Cemetery.
He carved the dates 1856-1950, but it turned out he was a little too optimistic. He died in November 1949, seven weeks shy of reaching 1950.
The Escanaba Daily Press - Apr 25, 1949
The Escanaba Daily Press - Nov 14, 1949
Update: To answer Patty's question (in the comments), the incorrect date wasn't changed. Leroy Irwin's grave (with the wrong date) remains standing in Hudson Corners Cemetery.
Image via Findagrave.com.
Comments
Pretty close guess! Did they change it or just let him have the extra time?
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 10/03/15 at 09:08 AM
There were a LOT of people that carved the "19" for their date of death (to save a couple of $$) but lived into the 20's (which cost a whole lot more to fix).
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/03/15 at 09:38 AM
Patty -- your question made me curious, so I did some more research and found a recent photo of Irwin's grave. (Posted it above). Looks like the date wasn't changed.
Posted by Alex on 10/03/15 at 10:13 AM
If there was no family to pay to fix it then there's no one who cares its wrong I guess. Sad really. Thanks for looking it up Alex.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 10/03/15 at 11:02 AM
From the second article: "But he died suddenly Saturday night, just three weeks after his marriage to the former mrs. Mary Sage, 62." I would consider a wife family.
Posted by F.U.D. on 10/03/15 at 11:40 AM
Sorry, missed that.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 10/03/15 at 12:19 PM
Robert A Heinlein had a short story called "Lifeline". In it the inventor had a machine that could tell you the exact time you will die. Personally, I want death to sneak up and strike fast. But do any of you want to know when?
Posted by BMN on 10/03/15 at 08:05 PM
In an episode of the X-Files, there's a man who apparently can predict how and when people will die.
Having a discussion over whether it is a curse or a gift, the man says to Moulder "Do you want to know how you are going to die?"
Moulder says an emphatic "Yes", to which the man replies, "No, you don't."
Having a discussion over whether it is a curse or a gift, the man says to Moulder "Do you want to know how you are going to die?"
Moulder says an emphatic "Yes", to which the man replies, "No, you don't."
Posted by SpyOne on 10/03/15 at 10:03 PM
No! Not at all, that would ruin the quality of the life I had left. I want to go peacefully in my sleep.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 10/03/15 at 10:10 PM
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did–in his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car." -- Bob Monkhouse
Posted by Phideaux on 10/04/15 at 01:53 AM
"I want to die at the age of 90, in bed with a redhead, shot by a jealous husband."
Posted by Justin S. on 10/04/15 at 04:17 AM
Playful & willing redhead waiting to play with you, Justin.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/04/15 at 04:28 AM
Pretty close prediction none the less.
I would have thought I'd have already been gone by now.
I would have thought I'd have already been gone by now.
Posted by GFnKS on 10/05/15 at 11:53 AM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
Category: Death | 1940s