OTSELIC – Lewis Wesley Tallett Sr., of Otselic, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 24, 2008 at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich, with his family at his side.
Mr. Tallett celebrated his 100th birthday at a party given by his family in October. He was a life long resident of the area, having been born in Smyrna on Oct. 12, 1908 to George Dudley and Eva Claire Coleman Tallett. On Feb. 17, 1929, he married Myra Elizabeth Brown, a union which lasted over 72 years until her death on Aug. 31, 2001.
Mr. Tallett ran a dairy farm in Otselic for many years. He served as Town Justice, on the town board, and was also a member and deacon of the West Smyrna Baptist Church.
Mr. Tallett is survived by two sons, L. Wesley Tallett Jr. (Constance) of Greene; Dudley L. Tallett of Cortland; a daughter, Carol S. Byrne (Kevin) of Nashville, Tenn. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Janice Tallett of Fayetteville; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 16 great-great-grandchildren and six nephews.
Mr. Tallett was predeceased by his son, Stanley A. Tallett on Aug. 10, 2008; as well as a granddaughter, Diane Tallett Miller, a daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Tallett, two great-grandchildren, Leslie and Aaron Miller, two brothers, Wells Tallett and an infant brother; three sisters, Inez Morris, Leora Semple and Ruth Kelly, and a nephew, William Semple.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the West Smyrna Baptist Church, with Pastor Ted Lawrence officiating and his grandchildren participating.
Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery, South Otselic.
Friends are invited to call at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 S. Main St., Sherburne on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, his family has requested donations be made to the West Smyrna Baptist Church, Route 80, Smyrna, NY 13464; or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.