Obituary of Joan D. Wilkesmore

Joan Dorothy (Taylor) Wilkesmore, age 85, was called to her heavenly home on May 13, 2022, under the care of Hospice, at Schoellkopf Nursing Facility in Niagara Falls. Born on August 28, 1936, in Niagara Falls, Joan was the daughter of the late Hurk and Dorothy (Meitz) Taylor. She was a 1955 graduate of North Tonawanda High School. Employed with the Niagara County Cooperative Extension, Joan taught sewing and cooking classes for several years, and she retired as a senior clerk from the Niagara County Health Department – Nursing Division. Joan married her husband, James E. Wilkesmore, on April 7, 1956 and shared sixty-six beautiful years with him. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Joan loved to cook and bake, and had a passion for sewing and quilting, and she passed her love for quilting on to her granddaughters. Spending time playing board games and card games with her grandchildren was very special to her. A lifelong, devoted member of St. John Lutheran Church in Youngstown, Joan taught Sunday School and was a member of the Altar Guild for many years. Joan and her husband, James, enjoyed traveling during their retirement years, taking several cruises with friends. She also enjoyed quality time with family and friends while spending winters at their home in Bradenton, Florida. In addition to her loving husband, James, Joan is survived by her sons, Timothy (Lynn) Wilkesmore and Daniel (Denise) Wilkesmore; grandchildren, Shannon (Curt Crews) Wilkesmore, Heather (Peter Schreiber) Wilkesmore, Taylor (Nicholas) Bruno, Alycia Aldrich and Zachary Wilkesmore; and great-grandchild, Liam Schreiber. Also surviving are her sisters, Karen (Duane) Ferchen and Nora (John) Sprengart, sisters in law, Marlene Taylor and Judy Taylor, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and special friends, Judy Pera and Sue Milgrim. In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased by her brothers, Robert (late Cherie) Taylor, William Hurk Taylor and Kenneth Taylor. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Rd., Ransomville on Thursday, May 19th , from 3 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 20th at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, 420 Lockport St, Youngstown, NY. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 387, Youngstown, NY 14174.