RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Lyle T. Wilbert age 78, passed away on Wednesday morning April 16, 2014 in Saint Elizabeths Medical Center, Utica. He had the comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born on April 13, 1936 in Rome, NY, son of the late Stanley K. and Margaret E. Decker Wilbert. A lifelong area resident he was raised and educated in Richfield Springs. Lyle was an honorably discharged US Army veteran serving our country from 1955 to 1958. On June 22, 1974 he was united in marriage with the former Sandra Sherman in Bridgewater. Mr. Wilbert worked as a material controller for the Special Metals Corporation in New Hartford. He retired in 1996 after 40 years of dedicated service. After his career with Special Metals he took the position as Superintendent of the Fly Creek Cemetery Association in Fly Creek. He permanently retired from the cemetery in 2006. In his earlier years Lyle enjoyed driving stock cars in local races. He also like playing golf and bowling. Lyle was an avid New York Yankees fan and dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan. To all who knew him, he was a devoted family man. He was always a source of support and encouragement to his family and treasured the time he spent with them throughout his life. To his many friends he was honest and sincere. Any conversation with him was right to the point, yet you always felt a warmth and friendship whenever you were with him. He was a good man and will be greatly missed. Surviving are his loving wife of forty years Sandra, five sons, John and his wife Sherry Maine, Jeff Wilbert, John and his wife Lynda Wratten, Dean and his wife Jenna Wratten and Todd Wratten, two daughters, Kim Soule and Sue Behr, eighteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Colton Wilbert, his daughter, Patty Zaccagnino and his son, Bobby Sherman. Calling hours for Mr. Wilbert will be on Thursday April 24th from 4:00 until 7:00 pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street; Richfield Springs. A graveside funeral service with military honors will take place on Friday at 11:00 am in Twilight Rest Cemetery in Monticello. The Reverend Alan Miller will officiate. The family extends an invitation to a reception at the Richfield Springs American Legion Post # 616 at 1PM on Friday, April 25, 2014. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Richfield Springs Emergency Squad. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Lyles family wishes to thank the doctors and nursing staff at St. Elizabeths Medical Center for the care and compassion shown to Lyle and his entire family.