Western-Star.com

Patrick Henry Irelan, son of a Dayton politican who became an outspoken community leader in Kettering and Waynesville, wanted most to be remembered for portraying Ebeneezer Scrooge at community events.

The fictional Dickens character fit well with the conservative political views and outlook that Irelan, who died Thursday morning at home, freely shared in countless letters to newspapers, during the meetings of the school boards and village councils on which he served, and with people he met on the street at festivals and other events.

Irelan was 79.

Waynesville celebrated his contributions to his adopted hometown in Warren County. The village council, on which he served two terms before resigning in 2003, declared last Friday, St. Patrick?s Day, to be Pat Irelan Day in the village.

Stubbs Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is handling arrangements for the Irelan family. There will be no public funeral service, said Brad Conner, funeral director. Instead, Conner said Irelan?s wishes were to be cremated, which will happen Friday or Saturday.