Harold W. Wragge, 87, Minonk, died at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday (March 8, 2006) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk, with the Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe. Burial will follow in Minonk Township Cemetery, with full military rites provided by the Benson American Legion Post 454 and Minonk VFW Post 7185. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk, or Benson American Legion.

Harold was born Aug. 22, 1918, in rural Benson, the son of William G. and Marie Miller Wragge. He was educated in the Logan School in rural Benson. He married Darlene A. Matter on June 9, 1946, in Minonk. She survives.

Also surviving is a son, Daryle W. Wragge, Wenona; and three grandchildren, Gretchen (Bryan) Hsu, Samual Wragge and Christopher Wragge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Doris Harms; and two brothers, Clarence Wragge and Edward Wragge.

Harold was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Benson, and was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk.

Harold's tour of duty took him overseas to the European Theater for four years. He was a member of the 52nd Armored 9th Armored Infantry Battalion. He had fought at Utah Beach in Normandy, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Rhine and Battle of Remagen Bridgehead. During the Battle of the Bulge, Harold was part of the armored division that took the Remagen Bridge and held it for 12 days trapping many German soldiers. His service had taken him to France, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Belgium. He had served under General Hage with the 1st Army and General Patton with the 3rd Army. Harold was honorably discharged on Dec. 29, 1945.

After the war, he farmed in Linn Township in Woodford County the rest of his life until retirement. After retirement, Harold took up his hobby of collecting caps, which is the largest in the state of Illinois.

He was a charter member of the Benson American Legion Post 454, lifetime member of the Minonk VFW Post 7185, a member of Battle of Bulge Remagen Bridge Society, an active member of the Woodford County Farm Bureau for 55 years and the local FFA Alumni.