Only The Good Die Young

From my mother's diary eighty-seven years ago, April 29, 1936: "Harris Robison passed away." I remember her telling me about her cousin dying young and how they were related - their mothers were first cousins. Delphia and Merle's fathers were two of the Means brothers. 

So while I know Harris' date of death, I'm uncertain about his birth date. His grave stone is only etched with the years - 1918-1935. I know the year of death is wrong. What about the year of his birth? Find a Grave has it as 1919 with year of death 1936 and age at death as 16.

I know that Mom and Harris were close in age, but was it one year, one month and one day, or only one month and one day. Harris was born Christmas eve, December 24 and Mom was born January 25.

Even Merle's submission in the Adams County History Book doesn't give the year of Harris' birth, only the death.

I'm going to go with this obituary from the Adams County Free Press:

Harris Robison, son of George and Merle Robison, was born December 24, 1918 and died in the Greater Community Hospital in Creston, April 29, 1936 at 8:30 p.m. after a short illness. He was born in Carbon and had spent his whole life in the vicinity where he was born.
Harris is survived by his parent and three brothers, Carol, George, and Dean; also his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Melville Means of Creston and Mrs. Carrie Robison. Besides his relatives he leaves a large group of devoted friends, who loved him for his happy disposition and friendliness. He was the type of boy who was a joy to his parents and teacher, and who made friends easily. He will be greatly missed. He was 17 years, 4 months, and 5 days old at the time of his death.
Harris was taken to the hospital in Creston on the day of his death after complications developed following a sever attack of flu. He lived only a few hours after he entered the hospital His death came as a great shock to the community where he was much loved and all who knew him sorrow with the family.
Funeral services were held at the home in Carbon Saturday afternoon conducted by Rev. William Overhauler. Interment was made in the Quincy Cemetery.
Adams County Free Press, May 7, 1936, page 7

But even that has errors - the minister's name was Rev. William Overholser, not Overhauler.

I've shared this photo before with Harris on the left, Mom's sister, Lois, Harris' brother Carroll and my mom Ruth. Mom never said too much about Harris' death, but she did talk of the fun the cousins had when they were young.