Eddie "Ed" Tarter

Eddie “Ed” Tarter, age 61, of Huntington, IN, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, at his residence.

Ed was born on December 31, 1962, in Rockford, Illinois, to the late Edward L. Tarter and Bonnie (Juergensmeier) Tarter.  He married Anne Beady on May 19, 2007, and she survives and resides in Huntington.

Ed had worked at Culligan and then Huntington Sheet Metal. Ed proudly served his country in the United States Army National Guard. 

Ed enjoyed making people laugh. He was a jokester. He joined the Joy Pleasers Clown Ministry and became the clown called Sped. He was a talker and could talk to anyone. He didn't meet a stranger and he could talk your ear off. He would say to people he didn’t know as they walked by, “hey, you dropped your pocket” and people fell for it every time. He loved his family and friends very much. Even in his final days, Ed was still joking and being silly. You could ask him if he needed anything, and he would say a million bucks. He loved kids and would always have a pocket full of lifesaver mints. He always had a way with kids. Since Ed had false teeth, he would pull his teeth out and show them to kids. The children that are now young adults still remember that to this day. When Ed went to restaurants, he would ask if they accepted food stamps. He would ask people if they wanted to see his pride and joy. He would pull out a picture that had a bottle of joy dish soap and pride dusting spray. Always being that jokester. Ed had a love for balls. Loved any kind of ball. He would buy his grandchildren big balls for their birthday. Since the beginning of Ed’s illness, Ed never lost himself. He remained positive and continued to be his funny, loving, joking self. Ed will be missed by everyone who knows him. Ed will always be remembered for his joking ways. He wasn't afraid to leave this earth, he was afraid of leaving his wife Anne, his loved ones and his friends.

Along with his wife, Anne, he is survived by one son,  Cory Tarter, Huntington, IN; one daughter, Heather Tarter, Marion, IN; stepdaughter, Danielle Clements; former stepmother, Helen Huffman, Fort Wayne, IN; brother, Rob (Andrea) Tarter, Louisville, KY; sister, Tammy Martin, Huntington, IN; stepbrother, Jerry Huffman, Fort Wayne, IN; two stepsisters, Susan Tony, Diana Palisano, both of Fort Wayne, IN; three grandchildren, Hailey Scott, Lily Tarter, Leah Tarter; two nieces, Priscilla Tarter, Jonbenet Hedrick; nephew, Brett Beady; great-niece, Sophia Tarter; bonus children, Vicki and Andrew Muncie; bonus grandchildren, Gracelyn Muncie and Carson Muncie.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two stepsons, Chad Clements, Zachary Clements; and one brother, Scott Tarter.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a 2:00 p.m. Funeral Service at McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, 46750.

Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Huntington, IN.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation in care of McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, 46750.

McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences can be sent to: www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com

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