Obituary of John Stellatino

John Sam Stellatino of Lodi passed away peacefully Monday, May 1, 2006 after a brief illness. He was 94. John was born August 22, 1911 in the District of Calabria, Italy to Sam and Virginia Stellatino. John moved to the United States at the age of 3. He married his loving wife Irma on November 14, 1937; the young couple settled in Lodi and started their family. John started farming and later owned and operated the Highway 99 Market and was employed by Super Mold Corporation. He was a long time member of the St. Anne's Catholic Church. John will be best remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He leaves fond memories of many camping and fishing trips he shared with his children and in later years with his grandchildren. His good health allowed him to enjoy all of his special hobbies which included gardening, fishing, making Italian sausage, olives, wine, and his signature spaghetti sauce, and according to his family, he raised the best tomatoes in the valley. He enjoyed many fishing excursions with his brother-in-law, Toby Fena, who also accompanied him on many trips supporting the Jackson Casino. John is survived by his beloved wife, Irma Stellatino of Lodi, his daughters; Marlene Katzakian and her husband Art Katzakian of Elk Grove, Theresa Williams of Lodi, and Ginger Newell-Maggio and her husband Rudy Maggio of Lodi, his grandchildren; Michelle Rishwain, Michael Siemering, Wendy Garibaldi, Kara Newman, Lori Gipson, Jennifer Foust, Brandon Newell, Chad Newell, Craig Katzakian, 13 great-grandchildren, brother, Fred Stellatino of Woodland, CA, sisters, Violet McKinney of Fountain Hill, AZ and Joanna Renner of Stockton and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his daughter JoAnn Siemering and 3 sisters. Friends may visit Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Lodi Funeral Home, 725 S. Fairmont Ave., and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, corner of Church and Walnut, with interment at Cherokee Memorial Park immediately following. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Aid Society, 105 South Washington, Lodi, CA 95240 or charity of your choice.