John Talbott
John Edwin Talbott, 77, retired salesman, craftsman, and devoted husband and father, died Nov. 2, 2006, after a brave, two-year battle with cancer.
He was born May 26, 1929, in Kosmosdale, Ky., to Henry Wilford "Pat" Talbott and Anna (Teten) Talbott.
John moved with his family to Halstead at the age of three, and graduated from Halstead High School in 1947. He was an accomplished draftsman, woodworker, and proud American, serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He served on the Halstead City Council and was a driving force in initiating the flood control project. He volunteered as the announcer for the Halstead Dragons High School football games for 32 years.
He was instrumental in acquiring and preserving the Santa Fe railroad depot on behalf of the Halstead Historical society, of which he was a charter member. He and his wife, Marge, were honored with Halstead's Good Neighbor Award in 1998.
He was a member and former elder in the First Presbyterian Church and was a 50+-year member of both the American Legion and the Lions Club.
He married Marjory "Marge" Collett of Marion on April 15, 1956. Besides his loving wife of 50 years, other survivors include children and grandchildren: Charles B. "Pat" Talbott of Overland Park and his daughters, Kari and Kori of Lawrence; Deanna Talbott of Wichita; Gina and husband Terry Marx and their daughters, Bobby and Margo Stuckert, and son, John Henry Marx, all of Wichita; and Brad Talbott and sons, Mason and Logan of Wichita; sisters, Irene Sommerfeld and Mildred Huebert of Halstead and Verna Lee Hills of Rantoul, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edgar; and sister, Rosada Tomek-Janda.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, Halstead, with the Rev. Kent Adrian of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.
Burial and military rites by the Ft. Riley Color Guard was at the Halstead Cemetery following the service.
Memorials may be made to Halstead Historical Society, Halstead Lions Club, or Ruth-Wilson American Legion Post #231, in care of Kaufman Funeral Home, Halstead.
