Wallace C. “Wally” Grimes

East Brookfield - Wallace C. “Wally” Grimes, 94, of East Brookfield, died on Monday, September 11, 2017 at Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center.

He leaves his daughter, Sandy Kibbe and her husband Eric of Warren; two sons, William Grimes and his wife Marian of Dudley, and Ernie Grimes and his wife Terry of North Brookfield; two sisters, Grace White of Woodland, TX and Eva Grimes of Oakham, as well as 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sister Mabel Hunting.  He was born in Oakham, son of  the late Henry and Evelyn (Clifford) Grimes.  He graduated from North High School in Worcester, and lived in East Brookfield for over 60 years. 

Wally was a life-long dairy farmer, and worked as a John Deere mechanic at the former N. Gordon & Sons and Streeter & Sons Equipment Companies in Hardwick for over 20 years before retiring in 1992.  He also kept busy by working part-time at Klem’s in Spencer. 

Mr. Grimes is a veteran of the United States Army.  He enlisted in May 1943, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He served in the 165th Infanty Divison under General George S. Patton, where he saw heavy combat fighting in the European Theater Campaigns including the Battle of Rhineland.  He was named the Grand Marshall of the East Brookfield Memorial Day Parade in 2012.

Wallace was a member of the First Congregational Church of West Brookfield, and enjoyed square dancing and wood working.

A Funeral Service for Wally, will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017, at 10:00 AM in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., West Brookfield.  Burial with Military Honors, will be held in Pine Grove Cemetery in Oakham following the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc. of Massachusetts / New Hampshire, 300 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452 or the East Brookfield Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 356, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

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