Vance F. 'Ted' Bagley, 94

Vance F. “Ted” Bagley, 94, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2010, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m on Thursday, April 1, 2010, at the Lakeview Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Osman of the Kootenai Community Church officiating.

Ted was born on Feb. 21, 1916 in Lebanon, N.H., to Dix and Bessie Bagley. His father died when he was young and at age 16 he went to work driving a fuel truck and logging in New Hamp-shire.

In 1940, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in World War II under General George Patton. He was awarded the “Jubilee of Liberty Medal of Honor” from the Counsel General of France Richard Duque, for serving in “Operation Overlord” which was the largest amphibious assault ever, also known as “D-Day.”  Ted landed on Omaha Beach serving with the “Big Red One” as a Sergeant Tech 1st Cavalry Recon when he was 28 years old. He also received the Bronze Star and served missions in Sicily, Algeria and Northern Africa. Also, at the “Battle of the Bulge” which he said was the worst battle he ever fought in.

He married Barbara Kershaw on June 26, 1945 in Lawrence, Mass., and worked for New England Telephone as a lineman for 35 years. The couple made their home in Methuen, Mass., and Ted retired in 1981. They then moved to New York to be closer to family, and in 2007 Ted followed his daughter Sandra to Sandpoint.

He enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and listening to music. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Rutherford of Sandpoint; three grandsons, Vincent (Kristen) Rutherford Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif., Scott Rutherford of Sandpoint, and Steven Rutherford of Manorville, N.Y.; one great-granddaughter, Vivienne Rutherford of Los Angeles; a brother, Malcolm (Joyce) Bagley of Lebanon N.H.; two sisters, Ruth Pollard of Lebanon N.H., and Joan Balsamello of Mendham N.J.; a sister-in-law, Janet Yule of North Andover, Mass.; and brother-in-law Samuel, (Mary) Kershaw of Derry, N.H. He is also survived by Tom Cleveland of Sandpoint, Angel Jones and future great-grandchild of Sandpoint and Vincent Rutherford Sr. of New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara, and five siblings.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

 Please visit www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.