Funeral services for Bro. John Dallalio will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church, in Monroe, LA, on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 2:00 PM with Mark Dallalio and Pastor Goodman leading the services. Burial will follow in the Hasley Cemetery, in West Monroe, LA, under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA. Visitation will be held at the church Monday, December 14, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Bro. John, as he was commonly known, was born in Natchez, MS on May 21, 1932. Both his parents (John and Cora) were Italian, and his Dad immigrated from Italy. His early years were influenced by the Italian culture. He attended school in the Washington community outside of Natchez. On graduating and desirous to earn some easy money he said, he joined the National Guard. It was during that time the Korean Conflict began. Though he never left the states, he was a full-time soldier. After leaving the Guard, he got a job at the paper mill there in Natchez. As life progressed, he began to date a young lady. This lady's family went to West Side Baptist Church. Having a revival meeting, he and his girlfriend attended, and his life was gloriously changed for eternity. He got saved on February 26, 1953. The evangelist preached from Acts 4:12 and for the first time, Bro. John heard how Jesus Christ was the only way to heaven and forsook the hopelessness of traditional religion and trusted Christ as his Saviour.

Under the mentorship of Pastor James Crumpton, he grew and at Camp Zion, Myrtle, MS, he yielded his life to God's call to preach. He was licensed to preach in August of 1957. He left his job and earned a degree from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS. He then went to New Orleans Theological Seminary. While he was there, he began his first pastorate in Bay Minette, AL on weekends. After graduating, he came to Collinston, LA as pastor of the Collinston Road Baptist Church.

Back in Natchez, Pastor Crumpton's sister, Sue, had come to Natchez to be secretary at the church. Soon, John and Sue married on December 27, 1960. After marrying, he came to the Liberty Baptist Church in Monroe, LA as Pastor. Acts 18:10 ( I have much people in this city ) came to mind as they drove into Monroe. The church was started in the Religious Supply Shop in Monroe. It was while there their sons, Mark and Daniel were born in October of 1961 and November of 1963, respectively.

After some doctrinal disagreements, Bro. John planted Maranatha Baptist Church in the home of A. W. Leggett on what is now known as Burg Jones Lane in February 1964 with 9 members. The church through Bible preaching and soul-winning, grew. Many men, women, and youth were brought to Jesus Christ. Bro. John loved Maranatha with all his heart.

Bro. John's heart was in reaching every person he could with the gospel. As he had been taught, he asked almost anyone he met, "If you died today, are you sure you would go to heaven?" His influence touched hundreds of lives. It made no matter to him as to the socio-economic status of a person, he witnessed and tried to reach everyone with the gospel. He sought to reach people many others did not. His car was used to bring souls to church nearly every church service. Yet, he would not compromise his convictions to draw a crowd and preached the truth in love.

In November of 2008 and after 44 years, he became Pastor Emeritus of Maranatha as Bro. Daniel Goodman assumed the role of Pastor. Bro. John continued to preach in prisons, witness, teach, give gospel tracts, and minister as his health allowed. Until his health failed, he remained faithful to serving God and his church. Even after moving into Ridgecrest Community Care Center where he was confined to a wheelchair, he still witnessed and preached to the residents there on occasion in church services. He finished his course and kept the faith [2 Tim. 4:7].

Many preachers who knew him well as well as others characterized Bro. John as faithful. His passion for souls and persistence to everyday church ministry earned him this well-deserved reputation. On December 10, 2020, he stepped into heaven and heard from the Lord of Whom he had preached and witnessed thousands of times, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." May his tribe increase.

Bro. John was preceded in death by his wife, Sue; parents John and Cora Dallolio; brother Joe Dallalio; Sister Margaret Palmer and her husband H.E. Survivors include his sons; Mark and his wife, Debra, Dan and his wife Tammy; brothers: Vic Dallalio and wife Virginia, Louis Dallalio, Sister; Virginia McDaniel and husband Dennis, three grandsons; Jarin and wife Julie, Jonathon and wife Carissa, Jordan and wife Hannah, and one granddaughter, Jessica Wright. He also has five great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and many friends.

A special thank you goes out to the staff of Ridgecrest Community Care Center and the staff of   Cornerstone Hospital and the Wound Care Clinic for their care for these past few years. Also thank you to Bro. Goodman and the Maranatha Baptist Church for their many kindnesses during this time of grief.