John C. Talley, Jr., was born Nov. 30, 1926, in Lead, S.D., to John and Marie Talley. After high school, John served in the U.S. Army and fought in World War II.
Though his memories of war carried much pain, in his later years he was proud that he served his country during such an important time. In 2009, along with his daughter Sheryl, he went on the Honor Flight to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Upon returning home from the war he married Kathleen Peterson and together they had two daughters, Susan and Sheryl, and one son, John III. They spent their married life in Keystone, S.D., until Kathleen passed away. He later married Sally Marshall of Rapid City, S.D., and spent over 35 years in Keystone until his sudden passing.
John worked for the mines in Keystone and then 29 years for Dilly Construction operating heavy equipment. He could share many a tale of various building projects and time on the road. Anyone that knew John knows how he loved to work and work hard. Being a welder and somewhat of a “scrapper,” you might be surprised at what you could find in the yard as his latest project.
John died peacefully at home the morning of Dec. 22, 2015. He was 89.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Talley (Thompson); first wife, Kathleen; sisters, Flora and Edna; brother, Glen and infant brother Ross.
John is survived by his wife Sally Talley (Marshall); daughters, Susan Talley-Johnson of Albany, Ore., and Sheryl (Mark) Ellis or Ardmore, Okla.; son, John Talley III of Hill City, S.D.; granddaughter, Jade Ellis of Dallas, Texas; step-daughter Joyce (Leonard) Haney of Rapid City; granddaughters Samantha, Joanna and Elizabeth Haney of Rapid City; great-grandson Marshall; brothers, Walt, Dale, Vern, Oren, Paul and Lloyd; sisters, Doris Ann Caswell and Marian Maltsberger; special nephew, Glen Talley, Jr.; and several other nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City, with visitation beginning at noon. Burial will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park with military honors.
Friends and family are welcome to sign the guestbook at KirkFuneral-Home.com.