Virgil John Harms passed away Jan. 22, 2024 at the Regent Park Nursing Home in Holyoke at the age of 96.

Virgil was born into his family home in rural Paoli on May 4, 1927. He was the first child of John and Irene Harms. He grew up on a small farm north of Paoli and attended Country Elementary School. He graduated from Haxtun High School in 1945. It was there that he met his forever sweetheart Eloise Lundburg.

After graduation, Virgil joined the Army and began his basic training in Fort Lewis, Wash. Virgil loved to tell stories including those of long military marches and his catching of fello...