WELLSVILLE – Joan Ardis Craft, 79, passed away Friday (Feb
23, 2018) at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. following a lengthy
illness.
Mrs. Craft was born on December 13, 1938 in North Hornell to
Roswell Edwin and Irenea Bertina (Woodworth) Greene. She was a 1956 graduate of
Alfred-Almond Central School. She then went to State University Teachers
College in Oneonta studying home economics. On March 26, 1961 she eloped with
the love of her life, Robert W. Craft, who preceded her in death on February
20, 2011.
Joan began her career at Fleischmanns High School teaching
home economics for four years. After that, she spent the next 28 years at Wellsville
Central School, teaching many students home management skills. She retired from
teaching in 1995.
Joan is survived by one daughter, Deanna (Don) Spencer of
Wellsville; three sons, Ward Craft and David Craft, both of Wellsville and
Danny (Diane) Craft of Andrews Settlement, Pa.; two brothers Roger (Barb)
Greene of Independence and Dan (Paula) Greene of Wellsville; five
grandchildren, Crystal Craft of Lubbock, Tex., Jeff (Jenny) Vineyard of
Wellsville, Jessica Vineyard of Whitesville, Matthew Craft of Andrews
Settlement, Pa. and Derek (Savannah) Craft of Tioga, Pa.; five great
grandchildren, Kristen (Garret), Chris (Mekayla), Kaylea, Bryson and Skylar;
two great great-grandchildren, Dawyson and Braxton; and several nieces, nephews
and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a
daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Craft.
Joan loved all things homemaking and she passed this love on
to many in the community through her years as a teacher. She loved to cook and
particularly liked baking cookies. She always had sewing or crafts project in
the works; and every year the garden started beckoning about this very time of
year as she started planning for planting day. She was a hardworking country
girl who enjoyed nature, especially birds. Joan dedicated her life to providing
her family with excellent care.
She was a member of Theta Phi Epsilon. She enjoyed the
Friends by Choice group and the Friendships and Families Coffee Club, where she
was blessed with three special friends, Donna McGinnis, Ann Transki, and Gloria
Duell.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at
Baker-Swan Funeral Home, 3256 Riverside Drive in Wellsville. The funeral
service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev.
Marc Chamberlain of Genesis Bible Church, officiating. Burial will follow in
Woodlawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be made to
Allegany County Cancer Services, 100 South Highland Avenue, Wellsville, NY 14895.
