Doyle Edwin Talbert, 82, of Greentop, Missouri, passed away Friday, November 10, 2023, surrounded by his family in his favorite place at home.
Doyle was the son of Richard and Carleta (Howell) Talbert. He was born in Kirksville, Missouri on March 3, 1941. This was a birthday he would later share with one of his sons, and two great-grandsons. Doyle met his wife, Pauline, when they started attending Greentop High School together in 1954. They were united in marriage after graduating high school on November 14, 1959. Doyle and Pauline lived for a short while in Kirksville, Missouri before moving to a home in Greentop and later to their Greentop farm where they raised horses, sheep, cattle and their four kids: Curtis, Paula, Chris and Patti.
Doyle first went to work for Clapper and King Seed in Greentop, Missouri and then at J Burdman Auto Parts in Kirksville. He later began working as the service manager at Jim Robertsons Chevrolet for several years before he became a sales rep for Moorman’s feed to farmers in Schuyler County and the surrounding area. In 1987 he was elected as the Schuyler County Clerk which was a position he held for twenty years. For the majority of his life, no matter which job he held, he was also engaged in farming and had a large-scale cattle operation which he ran along with his son, Curtis. After retiring from his county clerk’s position, the farm was his full-time job and passion. Doyle loved his John Deere tractors and working on the farm.
Doyle received his education from the rural Greentop Pleasant Grove school and went to high school at the Greentop Public school where he graduated in 1959.
In his younger years, Doyle loved spending time and bird hunting with his grandfather Artie Howell and cousins. He served for a period of time as the Mayor of Greentop, had been a long-time member of the Wranglers 66 Saddle Club, was a 4-H leader and part of the Extension Council and the New Harmony Free Will Baptist Church. He served as the superintendent of the New Harmony Church for many years.
Doyle is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Pauline, his children, Curtis (Cecil Kouakou) of Greentop, Missouri, Paula Ritchey of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Chris Talbert of Greentop, Missouri, Patti Talbert (Doug Browne) of Hannibal, Missouri; five grandchildren, Nicholas Talbert, Tyler Ritchey, Ashley White, Kortney Ritchey and Chris Michael Talbert; and five great-grandchildren, Brinley Ritchey, Addison Ritchey, Huxley Ritchey, Creed Brumley and Brantley Ritchey, brother Keith (Phyllis) of Arlington, Virginia, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Carleta Talbert, father and mother-in-law, Paul and Dessa Walker; brother and sister-in-law, Verl and Vanda Rigdon.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at the Travis-Noe Funeral Home from 12:00 – 2:00 pm, with the funeral services held immediately after. Burial will be at the Fugate Cemetery Northwest of Greentop. Ken Pamperin will be officiating the service. Musical selections will be Lead Me Home, Take My Hand Precious Lord and Amazing Grace.
Pallbearers are Nicholas Talbert, Chris Michael Talbert, David Rigdon, Todd Caraway, Drew Talbert, Justin Talbert, Marty Maize and Doug Byrn. Honorary Pallbearers are Tyler Ritchey, Lowell Talbert, Jimmy Howell, Bob Neese, Jim Werner, Garry Mathes, Lee Epperson, Ronnie Hart, Ronald James, James Conner and Jim Pickens.
Memorials in memory of Doyle may be made to the Fugate Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO.