John "Skip" V. Tarta

John V. “Skip” Tarta, Jr., husband of Joyce Ann (Eicher) Tarta, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was a native of Hawthorne, New Jersey and was the son of the late John V. and Iris Tamar Tarta.

John was a 1963 graduate of Hawthorne High School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he faithfully served for 6 years with time served in Camp Lejeune, NC, 2nd Force Recon, NCOIC, 2nd Division DEAR Center and aboard the USS Little Rock, reaching the rank of Sgt. E-5. He worked for the Kirk Family YMCA of Roanoke for 16 years, as well as part time at Second Presbyterian Church for at least 17 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and was a lifetime member of the NRA, as well as a member of Trout Unlimited, a volunteer for Project Healing Waters and a member of the Glock Sport Shooting Foundation where he participated in both indoor and outdoor competitions. John’s hobbies included hunting, fishing with his wife Joy, handgun shooting, kayak fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling, traveling and just being in the great outdoors, reading and playing “Mr. Fix It” for his daughters.

John will be missed and remembered by his wife of 58 years; daughters, Heather Tarta Balsley and Holly Marie Tarta; grandsons, Jake Balsley and Emmet Alexander, Jr.; sister, Iris Tarta “Penny”; nieces, Kim and Patricia; friends, Scott Franzak and Tom Schaaf, whom he will meet on the 18th hole.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.simpsonfuneral.com