Mario Taravella

Mario Joseph Taravella, 71, died peacefully June 20 in the palliative care area of OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, with family by his side. He was the eldest child of Gaetano and Francesca (Messina) Taravella, both predeceased him. Survived by his siblings Paul(Karen), Teresa, John and Tony (Rhonda) Taravella; a nephew, nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews and an aunt; in addition to
relatives and friends in the United States and Sicily. Mario served in the U.S. Army for three years and was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. He spent 18 months in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals. In his teen years, he was well known among the Cincinnati amateur boxing community having won a bantamweight Golden Gloves championship. Mario had an endearing and generous spirit. He liked to laugh and make others laugh as well. You are now at peace, dearest Mario. You'll forever remain in our hearts. Visitation will be held Fri., June 25 beginning at 12:15 p.m. at St. William Church. Funeral Mass at 1:15 p.m. Internment, with military honors, at St. Joseph New Cemetery. The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mario's dedicated group home caregivers through the years in Chillicothe and Greenfield, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans (dav.org) or National Alliance on Mental Illness (namiswoh.org)organizations. Online condolences may be shared at vittstermeranderson.com.