Obituary of Lelia Jean Taft

Lelia Jean Taft, 84, of St. Rte 417, Woodhull, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Absolut Care of Three Rivers in Painted Post. Jean was born in Hornell on July 13, 1940, the daughter of the late Earl J. and Emily A. (Welty) Wheatcraft. She attended Woodhull High School. On July 1, 1957, Jean married Richard L. Taft in Addison. Dick survives. Besides raising her four sons and assisting her husband Dick in the operation of their dairy farm, Jean was a care giver for disabled individuals, having been employed by New York State for 20 years and an additional 7 years in that field for Pathways in Corning. Prior to this, Jean had worked at the former Woolworth Store in Corning. Jean enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially looking forward to the annual deer season spent with family and friends. She enjoyed playing her piano as well as square dancing, camping and attending area rodeos with Dick. They had been members of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Campbell. Jean’s greatest pleasures came from time spent with her beloved grandchildren. Surviving is her husband, Richard Taft at home, her sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Tammy Taft of Greenwood, Dennis and Janet Taft of Leicester, NY, Rick and Laurie Taft of Wayland and Michael and Lynette Taft of Leicester, 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, her siblings, Robert Wheatcraft of Livonia, NY, Jim (Sharon) Wheatcraft of Conesus, NY and Elaine (Dean) Prouty of Mission, TX, brother-in-law, Fred (Cindy) Taft. sisters-in-law, Judy Cooney (Bill Crans), Edith Sarviss, Marguerite Taft, Joyce Taft and Peggy Taft and many nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Emily Wheatcraft, her sisters-in-law, Gloria Wheatcraft and Dorothy Watkins and her brothers-in-law, Floyd Taft, Roger Taft and Paul Taft. Friends may call on Thursday, January 16 from 12 noon to 2 pm at the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. Funeral services will follow there at 2 pm with Rev. Brian Diffenbacher officiating. Burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery.