John Anthony Marotta, 74, of Batesville passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
He was born June 13, 1947, in Jersey City, New Jersey to John Michael Marotta and Michalena ”Margie” Gualteri Marotta.
As a young boy, John attended St. Boniface Kindergarten in Jersey City, NJ, Holy Rosary Elementary in Jersey City, St. Catherine’s Elementary in Spring Lake, New Jersey, and graduated from Manasquan High School in Manasquan, New Jersey. He received his BA degree from Arkansas College and BS from Arkansas State University. During his time in college, he served as President of the Student Christian Association from 1966-1970, Newman Club President, Lieutenant Governor of MO-ARK Circle K. International, was also held the Honors of the 4th Degree in Knights of Columbus and Gamma Delta Iota Fraternity. During his adult years, he worked as a Lab Technician in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Jersey Shore Medical Center; he managed the family deli in Spring Lake, New Jersey, and Point Pleasant, New Jersey. He worked as a Lab Technician at Gray’s Hospital, Newport Hospital, and for 30+ years he worked for White River Medical Center Lab.
John was of the Catholic faith; he was a social butterfly and he loved people and had an epic sense of humor. He enjoyed cooking, spending time with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and pets. He took pride in his work at the hospital.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Jane Atkinson Marotta of the home; two sons, John M. Marotta (Tomacenia) of Fayetteville and Daniel J. Marotta (Gina) of Carrabelle, Florida; daughter, Laura K. Caraway (Blake) of Batesville; three sisters, Grace Marie Buckley of Spring Lake, New Jersey, Alicia Marie Marotta of Bricktown, New Jersey, and Anna Marie Ramsey of Spring Lake, New Jersey; seven grandchildren, Samuel (Kristina) Hardin, Nicholas (Miranda) Hardin, Katelyn (Bryson) Williford, Michael T. Marotta, Ryker Caraway, Rylee Caraway, and Ally Caraway; and four great-grandchildren, Zaiden Barnes, Allie Gardner, Cameron Hardin, and Natalie Hardin.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers are Samuel Hardin, Michael Marotta, Charles Coe, Nicholas Hardin, Bryson Williford, and Jeff Wyatt.
Graveside services will begin at 1:00 pm Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville with Father Stephen Gadberry officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations in his honor to Humane Society of Independence County, 5 Environmental Drive, Batesville, AR 72501.
