Robert Deyo Talbert, better known as Bob to family and friends passed away peacefully on Thursday May 14, 2026 surrounded by family members. Bob was born at home on the family farm in Onarga, Illinois on May 26, 1933. He was the youngest of five children born to Clyde and Marion (Osgood) Talbert.
He grew up in Onarga working on the family farm. He described his parents as examples of love and companionship. “Never…can I remember quarrels or contentions in the home”, he once wrote.
In High School he was a proud member of FFA (Future Farmers of America), and took great pride in raising hogs.
In 1953, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the Marines, and took great pride in having served his country. He served from March 1953 to March 1955. His platoon served in Japan but never reached Korea.
On June 3, 1955 he married Roberta (Bobbye) L. Stewart. It was a love story that lasted 70 years before Bobbye’s passing. Together they raised six active boys and one cherished daughter. We children do not recall quarrels or contentions between our parents, a legacy passed down to our Dad.
In his young married life he worked for the railroad before deciding to attend Southern Illinois University. He graduated in June 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Bob and Bobbye moved their family to Logan Utah to attend Utah State University. He graduated in June 1969 with a Masters of Science in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. Bob had a successful career as a landscape architect working for the United States Forest Service.
Bob and Bobbye were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on March 18, 1956. He remained a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ the remainder of his life, serving in many positions leading others to be faithful followers of Christ.
Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbye, his father Clyde Albert and his mother Marion Osgood and by his older brothers and sisters Doris, Howard, June, and Neil. He is survived by his children Mike (Lisa), Jim (Debbie), Jeff (Deborah), Charlie, Brad (Wendy), Susan (Richard), and Greg (Tanya). He is the grandfather of 35 grandchildren and 65+ great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 482 West 1400 South in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Onarga Cemetery, North Poplar Street, Onarga, Illinois at a later date.
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