World War I Soldier Buried in Vermont After 45 Years

Private Edward James Irwin received a formal military burial at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center on November 11, 2026. The service marks the final interment of the World War I veteran, who died in November 1981. For nearly four and a half decades, Irwin’s cremated remains sat in a basement storage unit in Rutland, waiting for a family member who never claimed them.

The delay stemmed from a transfer of assets when Walter Ducharme purchased Clifford’s Funeral Home in Rutland last year. The new owner inherited the business’s inventory, which included rows of unclaimed cremated remains in the facility’s basement. Ducharme identified Irwin’s ashes among the stored items. Very little public record existed for the man, who was born in New Jersey in 1897. It remained unknown why Irwin had moved to Vermont or if any close relatives survived him. He had passed away in a Rutland nursing home, days before his 84th birthday.

Ducharme spent more than a year verifying Irwin’s identity with various government agencies. The process proved difficult due to discrepancies in the records. Ducharme stated that officials confirmed the correct Social Security number, VA file number, and date of birth, but the name on file was incorrect. He described the process as frustrating until all data points aligned. Once the identity was confirmed, Ducharme attempted to locate living family members or close friends. He reported that no relatives could be found to claim the remains or arrange a private burial.

News of the unclaimed veteran spread through the local community. Elaine Manghi-Buck, a resident of Brookfield, learned of the situation at her church. She attended the service to honor Irwin, stating that it was important to be present. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association also participated in the event after hearing about the veteran through their local American Legion chapter. Ed Barton of the association expressed that the group was honored to attend the ceremony.

The scale of the gathering prompted the funeral party to move the service from the grave site into the chapel. Robert Burke, with Vermont Veterans Affairs, noted that Irwin had been on a long journey and that it was a pleasure to secure his final resting place. The service was held at Our Lady of the Valley Church, where deacon Chris Noble addressed the attendees. Noble emphasized that while most in the congregation had never met Irwin, they recognized his service and the values he represented. He stated that the community shows up for one another to honor such dedication.

Rev. Tom Harty of United Church of Bethel also offered remarks during the ceremony. He acknowledged the limited personal details available about Irwin but stressed that he was a human being who deserved respect. Harty asked the congregation to grant Irwin everlasting peace. The Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery is home to more than 6,000 veterans and their spouses. Collin Johnson, who maintains the grounds, noted that the arrival of Irwin was an interesting event for the usually quiet site. The cemetery grounds are typically marked only by the sound of birds and the American flag.

Ducharme delivered a final address to the assembled group. He thanked the attendees for their service to the community and offered an apology for the delay in securing Irwin’s burial. The private’s remains are now interred at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery, joining thousands of other service members. The resolution of Irwin’s case closed a chapter for the Rutland funeral home, which continues to operate under Ducharme’s management. The identification process involved multiple state and federal records, all of which had to match before the military honors could be rendered.