Reverend Michael Eugene Tarner, age 67, of Madison, Indiana, and the son of Paul W. and Wilma Maxine (Strawn) Tarner, was born on July 5, 1952, in Frankfort, Indiana. He was united in marriage to the former Jean Wingham on August 21, 1971 in Louisville, Kentucky, and they were blessed with two children, Jennifer and Wes. Mike's undeniable love and respect for Jean was made abundantly clear by the way he adored and cherished her. He was a true example of how a husband should treat his wife. He began his college education at the Frankfort Wesleyan Bible College and the United Wesleyan College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, but later received his Master's Degree from the Anderson School of Theology in Anderson, Indiana. In 2015, he retired after faithfully serving the church for forty-one years. He ministered the first ten years in the Wesleyan Church before transitioning to the United Methodist Church, where he served until his retirement. His love for God was evident in his kindness and the way he treated everyone he met. People naturally loved him because his love for others was so apparent. He was a member of the Indiana United Methodist Conference and currently attended Hanover United Methodist Church. Mike and his wife, Jean, served as co-leaders of the food pantry ministry at Hanover United Methodist — something he was very passionate about. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening, taking care of his yard including his fountain, and planting flowers around the house. Mike passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020 at Norton Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky from a sudden illness. His life will be cherished by his wife, Jean, of Madison; his children: Jennifer Lynn Tarner, of Madison and Wes Tarner and his wife, Brandi, of Noblesville, Indiana; his mother, Wilma M. Tarner of Indianapolis, Indiana; his sister: Rachael K. Tryon and her husband, Mike, of Indianapolis; his grandchildren: Jacob, Bradley, and Dylan; his father-in-law, Glenford Wingham of Bedford, Kentucky; his sister-in-law: Cheryl Boss and her husband, Chuck of Jeffersontown, Kentucky; and his nieces and nephews, Lori, Brian and David. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul W. Tarner and his mother-in-law, Louise Wingham. Pastor Dan Helm will conduct private family funeral services at 11:00 AM Friday May 8, 2020 at Lytle Welty Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Vail Chapel, on Madison's hilltop with interment to follow in Hanover Cemetery in Hanover, Indiana. Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday, May 7, 2020, and from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Friday. While adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral service will be limited to only family but live streaming will be available through Reverend Tarner's Memorial Page on our website. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the food pantry ministry at Hanover United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made at Lytle Welty Funeral Homes or below.

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