Joseph Michael Tarantino

Joseph M. Tarantino, 70, of Elk City (Knox),went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 8, 2024 following a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Joe was born on May 4, 1954 to Joseph C. Tarantino and Janice Ramaly Tarantino in Quakertown, PA.

Joe was a boy scout and graduated from Quakertown High School in 1972, he went on to study Geology at Penn State University where he graduated in 1976.  After graduating he worked for 35 years as a Professional Geologist for the Bureau of District Mining Operations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources (DER) which later became the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

In 1985, Joe married Sandra Bann Filek.  In addition to Sandra’s son Brian they had a daughter Megan and two grandchildren Maddy and Dawson.  He was a wonderful loving husband, father and grampy.

After retiring in 2014, when Joe wasn’t spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren he could usually be found playing pocket billiards or talking on amateur (ham) radio, his call sign was AA3YE.  Joe was very active on the radio volunteering to provide emergency communications for the Radio Amateur Communications Service (RACES) and Ameteur Radio Emergency Services (ARES).  He was a lifetime member of the Rooster Net and the Old Buzzards Net, ECARS and a member of the Fort Venango Mike and Key Club.  He was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.  Joe was a dedicated fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Penn State Nittany Lions.  He was passionate about sharing his knowledge and wisdom with the world.

Along with his wife, Joe is survived by his daughter Megan Dehart and her husband Matthew of Parker, two grandchildren Madalyn and Dawson Dehart of Parker, a brother Gary Tarantino and his wife Elaine of Randolph, NJ and a sister Debra Wahl of Harleysville, PA.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, a step son Brian Filek and a brother in law Charles Wahl.

The family will received friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM on Monday, November 11, 2024 and 10 to 11 AM on Tuesday at the McEntire-Weaver Funeral Home Inc, 504 East Penn Ave, Knox.  Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday in the funeral home.  Interment will follow at the Knox Union Cemetery.

To view and share photos or leave an online condolence please visit our website at www.mcentire-weaverfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Michael Tarantino, please visit our floral store.