HERKIMER - Richard E. Nightingale age 83 of North Bellinger Street, passed away on Thursday afternoon December 27, 2007 in Saint Lukes Memorial Hospital Center, New Hartford. He was born on September 20, 1924 in McDonough, son of the late Benjamin and Violet Whitmore Nightingale. Richard was raised in Cold Brook and was a graduate of Poland Central School. On August 14, 1943 he entered the US Army and served with the US Army Air Corp as a Flight Engineer and Aerial Gunner. He took part in battles in China and the Rhinelandand was highly decorated for his many efforts during World War II. He was the recipient of the Air Medal, the American Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory. But most notably he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in the liberating of General Jonathan M. Wainwright from a Japanese Prison Camp in Manchuria, China. Mr. Nightingale was honorably discharged on November 20, 1945 having attained the rank of Sergeant. On December 5, 1950 he was united in marriage with the former Agnes Hoellrich in the Herkimer Reformed Church. It was that year he came to Herkimer from Cold Brook and they made their home. Mr. Nightingale worked as an Electronics Technician in the Research and Development Department of the Remington Arms Company in Ilion. He retired in 1984 after thirty-nine years of dedicated service. He had a strong belief in God and was a member of the Herkimer Reformed Church. Dick will always be remembered for his sincere sense of community. As a dedicated member of the Herkimer Kiwanis Club he was always there for any activity or fund raiser the club had going. He was a former member of the Oak Hill Cemetery Board and a member of the Ilion Fish and Game Club. In his leisure time he was an avid skeet shooter and had the distinction of being inducted into the New York State Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame. To all who knew him they will never forget his down to earth manner. Any conversation with him was frank and to the point. But you could always feel his warmth and friendship whenever you were with him. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Agnes, one son Ralph and his wife Barbara Nightingale of Pittsfield, MA., one granddaughter, Shauna and her husband David Holm of Pittsfield, MA, three great grandchildren, Christopher, Megan and Morgan Holm, two brothers and their wives, Robert and Elinor Nightingale of Newport, Thomas and Barbara Nightingale of Tucson, AZ, a sister Elaine and her husband George Happe of Macedon, several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday at 3:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. The Reverend Mark Anderson, Pastor of the Herkimer Reformed Church will officiate. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Thursday two hours prior to the memorial service (1:00 until 3:00 pm.). Interment service with military honors in Oak Hill Cemetery will be later this spring at a time to be announced. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Parkinsons Disease Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.