Mr. Terry Steven Talbert

Mr. Terry Steven Talbert, 70, of East Galesburg, passed away on January 15, 2022 at St. Mary’s Hospital after suffering a heart attack complicated by Covid-19.  

Terry was born on June 26, 1951 to Lester William and Margie Maxine (Brown) Talbert in Freeport, Illinois. 

His youth was spent in Toulon, where in 1968 he graduated from high school, and then continued his education and earned his degree from Black Hawk East College in Kewanee.

In 1973, Terry met his future wife Amanda Jean Kozzire in Peoria.  They were married in Denver, Colorado on January 14, 1984… a union that lasted 38 years.  They shared their love with three sons: Andy, Jeff and Chris.

He is survived by his loving wife, Amanda Jean and two sons, Larry “Andy” Kuykendall and Jeff (Terri) Kuykendall of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Other survivors are his sister Trudie (Robert) Friedly of Waterloo, Iowa, two brothers Tom (Janet) Talbert of Babcock Ranch, Florida, and Kevin (Laurie) Talbert of Monmouth, Illinois.  Also surviving are his “adopted” granddaughters: Courtney Cecil, Ashley Cecil, Maddy Powell, Ryleigh Detmers and his entire church family.  Terry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lester William Talbert Jr. and his beloved son, Christopher Maxwell Talbert, who bravely gave his life for his Country July 7, 2009 while serving as a Medic for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

Terry’s job roles in life were diverse and adventuresome and included being a doorman, factory worker, carpenter, restaurant manager, salesman and his final long-term career, a Parole Agent with the Illinois Department of Corrections, from which he retired in 2009.

From an early age, he was an apologist for the Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees, which showed his rebellious nature among many Midwest sports advocates, sparking instant conversation wherever those things were discussed.

Terry was known for his jovial sense of humor and keen wit. He was an avid reader, loved history and was a study of political issues. He enjoyed watching episodes of NCIS and assorted sports talk shows and could and would debate any number of topics with anyone with the spirit to take him on.

His friends (and he had many) knew him for his compassion and concern for others. He was a devout Christian and an example of how we all should treat each other. Terry served in many roles at Maple City Baptist Church in Monmouth, but particularly enjoyed participating in the Children’s Ministry. He always loved being with children.  Terry would tell you one of his greatest desires was to be actively involved in positively influencing young children’s lives.   

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 21, 2022 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel.  Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel.  Pastor Mike Blake will officiate.  Private burial will be in Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Local Patriot Guard or Maple City Baptist Church, Monmouth, organizations he felt strongly about.

Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com  Memorial donations and cards may be sent to the funeral home to be forwarded on to the family. 

The family respectfully requests mask-wearing for all in attendance and Terry would also encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated as he was.

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