we [planned to] send him to town to get embalmed. But Dr. MacDonaldl said, “You’ve been around him, Risdon. You might as well do it all.” So I did. He was a neighbour. I could see him every day going to the store. I used to go for the mail. I’d look for a year or more. I’d look, see if he was opening the door. I had some pretty tough ones; don’t think I didn’t.

Lord, yes, the feeling. The feeling was more when you got oldertoo. You know, you’re young, you wouldn’t notice that so much. When you get old in years and your old friends start to pass away it galls you quite a bit.

I don’t know ifI’d do it over. It’s a hardjob you know. I want to tell you. Not all that easy.

Risdon Gillis Collection

Aerial photo of the Gillis farm with coffin house in foreground.

1. Dr. Stewart MacDonald was the community doctor from 1953 to 1959. Dave Ross operated a store in Eldon.

Risdon Gillis 179