John M. Taviano age 66, of Lima passed away at 12:38 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 at The Springs of Lima. He was born in Lima, Ohio on Feb. 20, 1954 to the late Joseph and Ada P. (Numbers) Taviano.
John is lovingly survived by his S.O. and best pal, Sue Contini, the joys of his life, Tonya (Tony), Sierra & Savannah Sizemore, Luke (Brooke), JT and Wyatt Taviano and Lindsay (Brandon), Colt Contini-Stevens. He was formerly married to Debbie Wilmoth. He is also survived by his large family of brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, special friends and hunting buddies, too numerous to mention.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers David ‘Joe’ and Timothy L. Taviano.
John graduated from Perry High School in 1972, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball and his legacy is well known. He worked in construction/roofing for a short time before getting hired at Westinghouse for 19 plus years until they closed. He then worked as warehouse manager for Area Energy and Electric until he went on disability.
Hunting and fishing were a huge part of his life. Many stories can be told of his archery talents and he would often shoot over one hundred arrows a day to become one of the best in the state. He never turned anyone down who asked for help fine tuning a bow, fetching arrows or sharing his expertise on how to get a buck, elk, caribou. He filleted with skill and his fish fries were epic. He was a charter member of the IBO and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. His deep voice and singing will be greatly missed.
A celebration of his life will be held at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville, Ohio. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p., Thursday. A funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Tug Taviano and Pastor Randy Davis officiating, interment at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima, Ohio.
All social distancing practices will be in place and if you are uncomfortable either service, John would be the first to understand.