Michael Peter Taranto, age 79 of Butler, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 21, 2024. He was born on October 20, 1945 to Monroe and Henriette Taranto in Patterson, New Jersey.
Mike grew up with his 2 older brothers, Monroe and Richard in Ridgewood, New Jersey where he graduated high school in 1963. After graduation, Mike ventured out to Parkville, Missouri to attend Park College. In 1969 Mike married Barbara Harper and they had two children: Jeri Lynn and Travis Jason. While working for KC Southern in the late 70s and early 80s, Mike received his MBA from Rockhurst University. This is also when Mike started to travel the world, with Africa being his favorite destination by far.
In 1983, while back home in Ridgewood for his 20th High School reunion, Mike reunited with the love of his life, Elizabeth Kerr. They were united in marriage in July 1985 in Independence Missouri. With this marriage, Beth brought three children with her: Laura Elizabeth, Michael Vincent and Gina Lynn. Making them a blended group of seven. During the late 90s Mike began his newest venture of selling permanent shade structures, making their next move to Buffalo, New York. This would be his most rewarding venture yet as it afforded him to travel the world for various projects. Australia and Greece were a couple of the exciting places Mike and Beth got to visit over the years.
In 2003 Mike and Beth decided to move back to Kansas City to be closer to family. They decided on Butler, Missouri so they could be near their best friends, Sharon and Neil McLain. Once settled in Bates County, Mike began his final business, Solar Shade USA in Rich Hill, Missouri and was in operation for almost 20 years. Mike immersed himself in the community busying himself with all kinds of activities and projects. He was president of the Butler Country Club and then went on to be elected to the Bates County Hospital Board of Directors. He loved the small-town community that Butler had and loved the holiday parades even more. He sailed when he was younger and tried golf for a bit but found that “tinkering” in his workshop is what made him the happiest. Mike never met a birdhouse he couldn’t fix. What brought Mike the most joy were his 10 grandchildren. He became a magician, a campfire master, a golf-cart driving instructor and a master treehouse carpenter. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his grandchildren. Even including letting a few live with them over the years.
Mike was always the “voice of reason” for his children, grandchildren and sometimes even the neighbors making problem solving one of his most cherished qualities.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Beth Taranto of the home; two children, Jeri Taranto of Gravois Mills, Missouri and TJ Taranto; stepchildren, Laura Hatfield and husband Shane of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Mike Oltremare and wife Tomasine of Butler, Missouri and Gina Richardson and husband Brian of Butler, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Evan (Shaina) Oltremare, Bailey Howe, Abigail (Dallas) Remer, Braidey (Kasey) Shields, Damien Richardson, Isabella Oltremare, Alysee Richardson, Ryan Jakes, Sofia Oltremare and Grayson Taranto; four great-grandchildren, Kamrynn and Halle Shields, Julianna Howe and Archie Remer; two brothers, Monroe (Sulee) Taranto of Vedra Beach, Florida and Richard (Kirsten) Taranto of Northampton, Massachusetts; nephews, Matt, Michael and Stephen; nieces, Lydia and Lisa; a sister-in-law, Kathie Brew of Venice, Florida; and nephew, Dave (Lynne) Armstrong of Knoxville, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hennie & Mo and a nephew, Andy Taranto.
