Charles Eric Talley

ERIC TALLEY

FIELDON - Charles Eric Talley, 62, died at 12:28 p.m., Monday, July 28, 2025, at his home in Fieldon, surrounded by the quiet country life he loved.

Born July 3, 1963, in Alton, he was the son of Charles Eldon Talley and Patricia (Essery) Slaten. He grew up with deep roots in Jersey County and graduated with the Class of 1981 from Jersey Community High School. Eric was a country soul through and through. He was down-to-earth, dependable, and not one to need the spotlight to leave an impression.

For more than 30 years, Eric worked hard as a proud member of Laborers Local #218, showing up day in and day out with the kind of grit and work ethic you don’t come by often anymore. He officially retired in 2023, but he never really slowed down, just traded job sites for dirt roads and time with the people he loved most.

Eric had a way of finding joy in the simple things. He could spend hours walking the woods searching for arrowheads, sketching scenes from his mind with a pencil and scrap of paper, or just sitting quietly in nature with a good view and no rush. But nothing mattered more to him than his family. He was a proud dad and an even prouder grandpa. His greatest happiness came from watching his kids grow into their own, and spoiling his grandkids every chance he got.

He is survived by his mother, Patricia Slaten of Fieldon; five children who will carry his memory forward: Stacey Westfall of Jerseyville, Trisha (Chris) Bader of Jerseyville, Alisha (Ryan) Burke of Godfrey, Thor Talley of Jerseyville, and Robbie Talley of Alton; ten grandchildren who brought endless joy to his life: Alivia, Tyler, Michaela, John, Jacub, Jaxon, Autumn, Spencer, Khale, and Kaylin; a sister and brother-in-law, Stacey and Kevin Sams of Jerseyville; as well as his girlfriend of 12 years, Tammy Price of Delhi. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Eldon Talley, on August 2, 2007.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, August 4, 2025, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday, with burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

In honor of Eric’s life, memorials may be given to the family to assist in placing a monument at his gravesite, a permanent tribute for a man who never asked for much but gave his all.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.

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