BLANDINSVILLE -- Eben Junior Irish, 75, RR 2, Blandinsville died at 8 a.m. Monday, March 1, 1993 at his home.

He was born Nov. 26, 1917 in Hire Township, McDonough County, to E. N. and Laura (Harris) Irish.  He married Janie Welch July 13, 1947 in Macomb.  She survives.

He is also survived by two sons, Ralph and John, both of Blandinsville; four daughters, Laura Irish of East Stroudsburg, Pa., Martha Irish of Blandinsville, Karen Bierman of Centraila and Julie Irish of Colchester; six grandchildren; one sister, Vivian Zonder [Zender] of Skokie; one brother, Robert of Toledo, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Irish was a farmer in Hire Township all his life.  He attended the University of Illinois where he graduated cum laude in 1939.  In World War II he served in the Cavalry until 1941 when he transferred to the Air Force and served as a pilot stationed in England.  He was discharged in 1947 as a lieutenant colonel.  He served in the Air Force Reserves until 1954.  He was a Democratic Committeeman, and belonged to the Elks, was a 32nd degree Mason, Quincy Consistory, Mohammed Shrine, Eagles, American Legion, life member of the VFW, Reserve Officers Assn. of U.S.A. Air Force Association, American Contract Bridge League, University of Illinois Alumni Association, as well as many farming organizations.  He was a pilot with sing, multi-engine, commercial, and instructor ratings and was a member of the Blandinsville Flying Club, Flying Farmers Assn. and the Civil Air Patrol where he taught flying.  He was a 10 Gallon Blood Donor and served on the McDonough County Board of Review.

Services are 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Friendship Methodist Church in Tennessee Township with the Rev. Dean Reeverts officating.  Burial will be in the Friendship Cemetery adjacent to the church.  Full military services will be conducted by the Blandinsville American Legion at the cemetery.

Friends may [c]all after 1 p.m. Wednesday and the family will meet with friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Blandinsville.  Masonic services will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. by the Blandinsville Masonic Lodge.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Crippled Childrens Fund or Elks Crippled Childrens Fund.