UNION VALLEY – Leslie Wheeler Gilbert, 79, of Union Valley, passed away peacefully at his home, while surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008.
 Les was born in Cortland on Jan. 27, 1929, a son of the late George and Ellen Davis Gilbert. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus. For over 40 years, he operated a dairy farm in Union Valley. He was very active in the community and served as former member and Past President of the Cincinnatus School Board, a former member of the Chenango County Cooperative Extension, a longtime member of the Otselic Valley Milk Co-op, and former director of the Whittier Museum and State Fairgrounds. He also served as a board member for the Town of Pitcher, was a member of the Republican Committee for the Town of Pitcher, Past President of the Union Valley Cemetery Association, and a member of Otselic Valley #659 F&AM. 
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Blanche Markham Gilbert of Union Valley; and his children, Laurie (Guy) Smiley of S. Colton, Mary Gilbert-Hall (Stephen) of Groton, MA, Patricia (Kenneth) Diaz of Cincinnatus, Janet (Edward) Keilan of Petersburgh, Joan (Kevin) Newton of Victor, John (Tammy) Gilbert of Salem, and Joseph (Denise) Gilbert of Homer. He is also survived by his sisters, Martha Harris of Afton, and Evelyn (Thomas) Seils of Redhook; 13 grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
 Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus with Fred M.S. Downs and Jeanne Angell officiating. Burial will be in Union Valley Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Friday. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Les may be directed to the Union Valley Cemetery Association, c/o Ralph Parks, Union Valley Rd., DeRuyter, NY 13052 or the Cincinnatus Emergency Squad, c/o Elaine Oros, 5771 McFarlane Rd., Cincinnatus, NY 13040.  Personal condolences for the family may be made by visiting www.klsharpfuneralhome.com.