a fan of George Carlin and Denis Leary. He is survived by his wife, Amanda of Boone, IA; his children, Melissa, Scarlett, Gabriel, Alexandria, Matthew, Rachel and Owen Michael all of Boone, IA, and Leah Meredith Kurt of Dubuque, IA; stepchildren, Lora and Mason Warren of Boone, IA; his parents, Robert and Marilyn Tallman of Jackson, NE; four sisters, Kathy (James) Stabler of Colorado Springs, CO, Mandy (Kevin) Engel-Cartie of Sioux City, IA, Andria Nelson of Ankeny, IA, and Jaimee Kalsem and her special friend, Jason Scala of Ames, IA; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by an ex-wife, Angela Spaulding Gottschall of Boone, IA. Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Evon Tallman, and Bonnie and Emory Dean; an uncle, Conrad Dean; great aunts, Beverly Lovell, Donna Grover; and a special aunt, Geil Dean LaMere. A light has gone out in the world with his passing. He was a gentle soul.