Gilbert "Ed" Redifer

Gilbert "Ed" Redifer

Funeral services for Gilbert "Ed" Redifer, 103, were held Aug. 19, 1999, at Colyer Funeral Home Chapel in Torrington, with the Rev. Douglas Arendsee officiating. Burial with full military rites was at Valley View Cemetery.

Ed died Aug. 15, 1999, at the Goshen Care Center in Torrington.

He was born Jan. 11, 1896, in Valparaiso, Neb., the son of George and Belle (Lawton) Redifer. He grew up and attended country school near Valparaiso. He worked on ranches in the Nebraska sandhills until entering the U.S. Army on May 25, 1918.

He served in France during World War I in light artillery on horse back: then later as military police in that country.

It was only recently that Ed was visited by the French Consulate and honored with the Chevalier National Order of the Legion of Honor, France's highest military and civilian decoration of honor.

The French Government chose the 80th anniversary of the armistice of Nov. 11, 1918, to express its gratitude to the American serviceman for his participation in the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I.

He was a member of the Van Tassell American Legion and the Torrington VFW. Ed also received plaques from the American Legion for his 73-year membership and from the VFW for his life-time membership.

He was discharged from the service in 1919 and returned to Nebraska, where he married Anna Fisher on March 2, 1922. They moved south of Van Tassell in 1927 and ranched until 1974 when they retired and moved to Torrington.

He is survived by a daughter, Louise Torrance of Torrington; son, Donald Redifer of Meadows Place, Texas; sister, Bernice Mills of Guthery, Okla.; five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, two brothers and a sister.

Memorials may be directed to the Goshen Care Center.

Colyer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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