Michael J. Tarnawa, 64, passed into peace Friday, May 28, 2021, with his loving wife of 37 years, Tina, by his side. He was born in Chicago, IL to Edward and Dolores Tarnawa, and enjoyed growing up with siblings Susan and Glenn in suburban Elmhurst, IL. Michael loved sports his whole life, with a great passion for following his Chicago teams, and eventually the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. He was proud of his General Engineering degree from that institution, and worked in his life as a sales engineer, supplying parts to build everything from appliances to fiber-optic networks.

His career also led him to meet Tina when they both worked at Eaton Corporation. They fell in love and were married, and from their union came children Matthew and Laura. He loved his children deeply, and volunteered as a coach on their baseball and softball teams with great pride. Michael also loved to golf, fish in the Gulf of Mexico, and without fail, read the newspaper every day… sports section first. Squirrels were his one true nemesis.

Later in life, Michael enjoyed visiting with family and friends (often finding just the right time to crack a joke), watching his Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks win championships, and enjoying his petite filet at Outback Steakhouse. He was a brave survivor of cancer. Michael moved to Seminole in 2017 from Wheaton, IL, but lived his life in the sunshine of loved ones no matter his location.

Michael was preceded in death by his father Edward and mother Dolores Tarnawa, and a nephew, Ryan Wisner.

He is survived by his wife, Tina Tarnawa; his children and their partners, Matthew (Taira Meadowcroft) and Laura Meissner (Jeff); sister Susan Quigley and brother Glenn; grandchild Reyna Meissner, six nieces and nephews, and countless dear friends and relatives.

A funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church at 10:30 am Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The service will be live streamed at two locations:

Facebook - Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church (@bscsem)

YouTube - Blessed Sacrament Church - Seminole

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael's memory to Suncoast Hospice Foundation (suncoasthospicefoundation.org), or the American Cancer Society.