Obituary of Wendell H. Draper

HORNELL: Wendell H. Draper, II, 58, of Bostwick Place, passed way unexpectedly Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in Hornell. Wendell was born March 16, 1964 in Bath to the late Wendell H. and Gayle I. (Layton) Draper, Sr. He was a graduate of Hammondsport Central School and had worked as an inspector at the former Clark’s Specialty in Hammondsport. An avid outdoorsman, Wendell loved to fish and hunt. He particularly enjoyed fly fishing and prided himself in being able to tie his own flies. When it came to hunting, he enjoyed hunting deer, but turkey hunting took the front row. Wendell was a constant “Tinkerer”, finding something old and worn and putting it back together and making it work, a “Jack of all trades and master of none”. He also collected scale model trains, old glass insulators and generally enjoyed all sorts of antiques and was a NASCAR fan as well as a “Dukes of Hazard” boy at heart, loving a good chase. Wendell will be remembered as a proud father and grandfather, a very free- spirited man and to those who knew him knew he had a “mind of his own”. Wendell is survived by two daughters, Mindy Ellis of Wellsboro, Pa., Stacie (Dennis) Contreras of Greenwood, six grandchildren, Parker, Tanner and Dennis Contreras, Catalina Surita, Cayden and Cheyanne Ellis. He is also survived by his former wife, Ginny Lynn Draper/Pollard of Lawrenceville, Pa. two brothers, James (Rachel) Draper of Hammondsport and Shannon Draper of Mitchellsville. In addition to his parents, Wendell was predeceased by a daughter Aurora Rose Draper. There will be no prior calling hours or services. A celebration of life will take place Saturday, July 23rd at Birdseye Hollow Park in Hammondsport from Noon-until. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Wendell’s name may be made to the Hornell area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Rd. Hornell, N.Y. 14843.