LAGRANGE - Winfred C. Herrick, 101, a lifelong area resident, died on May 23, 2017 at his home. He was the great, great grandson of Ephriam Herrick who fought in the American Revolution and is buried in the family plot in Milan Union Cemetery.

Born in Milan on October 23, 1915, he was the son of James and Mabel Simmons Herrick. When he was 9, the family moved to Rock City, and then at the age of 10, they moved to 27 Fraleigh Street in Red Hook. He graduated from Red Hook High School and enlisted in the US Army on August 14, 1941, taking his oath at Fort Jay, Governors Island, facing the Statue of Liberty. From Fort Dix in New Jersey, he was sent to Fort Bragg, SC for training. He then went to the 141st Field Artillery, also known as the Washington Artillery, at Camp Shelby, MS. Unfortunately, he spent 40 days in the hospital with pneumonia while there. He was also stationed at Camp Sutton, NC, Camp Blanding, FL, and Camp Gordon, GA before being transported overseas, landing in Oran, Algeria, North Africa on August 31, 1943. He left North Africa through the Port of Bizerte, and landed on the shores of Anzio, Italy on November 19, 1943 where he was attached to the French Army. After months of fighting, Winfred was transferred to a Radar Unit and then to a Chemical Unit. He was discharged from the Army on October 23, 1945 as a Technician Fifth Grade. During his time of service, he remembers seeing General DeGaul riding in an open car in North Africa, and having a conversation with the Pope while on leave in Rome. Following the war, he was one of the founding members of the VFW in Red Hook.

Winfred was the owner and operator of Winfred C. Herrick Electrical Company, and later went to work for IBM.

On October 31, 1950 in Goshen, Winfred married Margaret Veach who predeceased him on December 14, 2015. They were predeceased by their only daughter, Dale V. Herrick, on June 28, 2008. He is survived by his nephews, Reginald Coon of Stanfordville, Knick Staley of Rhinebeck, and Richard Herrick of Florida and nieces, Jan White of Poplar Bluffs, MO, Roberta Bloomer of Red Hook, Valerie Kilmer of Rhinebeck, and Linda Kannal of Nevada.

Interment will be in the Milan Union Cemetery.