John William Simonelli, 81, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2023. at the NWLA War Veterans Home in Bossier City, LA. He was born in Leesville, LA on March 7, 1942 to parents, Ida Mae and John Angelo Simonelli. He attended Leesville High School and upon graduation he joined the United States Marine Corp in 1960. He served as a Marine for four years during the Vietnam War. In 1967, John joined the Air Force Reserves and worked at Barksdale Airforce Base at the 917th Wing as an airplane mechanic. After thirty-three years, he retired and moved to the lake. He loved spending time outdoors, whether out on the lake or working in his yard and spending time with family and friends.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Ida Mae and John Angelo Simonelli; his son, David Franklin Simonelli; and brother, Rusty Simonelli.
He is survived by his wife of nineteen years, Patricia Coker Simonelli; and his daughters, Mary Anne Hall (Rick) and Kate Porter (Mark). He was blessed with six grandchildren, Cody Johnson, Samantha Johnson, Simon Vos, Thomas John, Jessica Carney, and Jason Carney; and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by five siblings, Dennis Simonelli (Diane), Angelo Simonelli (Jamie), Tina Lewis (Ron), Dusty Simonelli and Michael Simonelli.
Services to celebrate Mr. Simonelli’s life will be at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Officiating the service will be Bro. Kurt Zortman of Elm Grove Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Hill Crest Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.
Honoring Mr. Simonelli as pallbearers are Mark Porter, Simon Vos, Angelo Simonelli, and Thomas John.
