John N. Marroni, Sr.

John N. Marroni Sr., passed away peacefully in his home on February 28, 2022, due to complications of Covid and a long battle with dementia. John was born on February 8, 1931, in South Bend to Angelina (Valenti) and Donato Marroni. Both parents preceded him in death. He was born sixth of eight children. On November 16, 1957, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Rodino in the St. Joseph Catholic Church of South Bend. She preceded him in death in 2017.

He had many roles in his lifetime. He was known as a son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, cousin, friend and buddy. John was a lifelong resident of South Bend and served his community as a local businessman. He was known by many people and was referred to by many names. He was the Son of the Banana Man, The Coach, the Catering Man, the Coffee Man, Macaroni, the Vending Man, the Jukebox Man, the Dart guy, but best of all he was proud to be called Dad and Grandpa.

John went to Oliver Grade School and attended Washington High School. During his school days, he enjoyed and excelled in sports, playing basketball, football, and baseball. He sang in the glee club. He was a very hard worker throughout his life. At the age of ten, he started selling fruits and vegetables out of a wagon cart with his father. Later he used his bicycle to sell ice cream. In 1948, at age 17, he enlisted in the Untied Stated Marine Corps, where he proudly served for two years during the Korean War. He served as a drill instructor and was on the USS Wasp Aircraft Carrier. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He returned home and went to work at the Michigan City State Prison. He was employed as a guard, for a few years, and coached the prison softball team. In the 1950’s, he played on the South Bend Parks baseball leagues, as a catcher. He so loved telling stories about his baseball days to anyone who would listen. At the age of 21, he was eager to start something of his own. He was definitely before his time. He purchased a truck and customized it to sell food out of the side of it, He rented a building across from his family home. He and his family would cook the food and sell it out of the truck. He purchased a few more trucks. Also, he began bottling and selling bleach under the name Sno-Wite Bleach. He became overwhelmed with his business and asked his brother, Berto to join him. Thus, Marroni Brothers Catering was established. They sold food at the weekly sporting events held by the South Bend Parks Department. They worked at one of the commissaries at School Field for the local high school football games, and also, the South Bend Motor Speedway concessions. The trucks traveled to Oliver’s, Studebaker’s and Bendix factories for employee’s lunch and dinner breaks. When the Studebaker factory closed their doors, they decided to stop the catering business and expand into automated vending machines. Their new business name was South Bend Vending Company. After 35 years in the food business, they decided to sell it. In 1980 with the boom of video games, John decided to start a new company along with his wife Betty and daughter Barb. They established Marroni, Inc., a coin-op amusement company that supplied pool tables, jukeboxes, video games, and later dart boards to area establishments. He felt that a handshake and his word was all that was needed to conduct business. He always said that if “I don’t do what I promise, I don’t deserve your business.” He was a very trusting person. Sometimes we didn’t agree on his business practices, but we knew that it would be John’s way, he always ran the show, HIS WAY.

John’s greatest gift was talking to people from all walks of life. He loved being around people. Once he met you and had a conversation with you, you became a friend, his buddy! He loved to frequent many of the local watering holes to promote the business and to share his stories of his past. He had an excellent memory of the different events in his life. He always identified past persons by what house the lived in growing up. He was very generous and loved helping out, whether it was doing something physically or helping monetarily. John and Betty loved hosting their Sunday afternoon pool parties to swim, play volleyball, and share food and drinks with their guests. John had one mean serve on the volleyball court, or so he thought. He would always say, “Watch out here comes “The Spinner”. Their home was always full of life, hosting many friends and family gatherings. John enjoyed watching all kinds of sports on television. He especially liked to watch Notre Dame Women’s Basketball and of course the Football team. Since he owned his own businesses, he felt that it was hard to get away. He did enjoy taking a few family vacations, usually a road trip somewhere. John and Betty loved visiting their friends, Joan and Van in Scottsdale, AZ. Over the years, they enjoyed going to Las Vegas to cheer on the dart teams that Marroni’s had sponsored in the International Dart Tournaments and do a little gambling. They also enjoyed going to watch the grandchildren’s sporting events and cheering them on from the sidelines. John enjoyed bowling at the German Club with neighborhood friends and loved playing card games. After his retirement, he just stayed home and concentrated on helping his wife, Betty, as her health declined. They played rummy every day. It was in John’s early 80’s, that his dementia started to progress. He started attending The Milton House (which we referred to as ‘VA Camp’). While he was there, he enjoyed being around other men and women to share his stories, but mostly enjoying the Bingo games and bringing home a prize. With the help of their primary caregiver, Linda, they were able to enjoy staying in their home as they wished. She cooked, cleaned, ran errands, and their personal chauffeur. After Betty’s death, John asked Linda if she would still drive him around. He was grateful that Linda stayed on as his caregiver and continued to help his daughter, Barb, with his care. He loved going on road trips with Linda. He had a great time with her. It didn’t matter if they were just going for a drive to listen to music, going to Sonic for corn dogs, or DQ for ice cream. Big thanks to his neighbor Steve, who supplied corn for visiting animals. John loved sitting outside, watching the birds and waiting for the deer family to visit. He was happy and content with his simple retirement life. He also enjoyed seeing his other caregivers, Sandy, Lynie and McKenzie on the weekends, before the Covid epidemic.

John was a member of the Unico Club, (an Italian Club) that had a food booth at the South Bend Ethnic festival. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church for 58 years. During some of that time, he volunteered in the church choir. He was also a member of American Legion Post 284 of South Bend.

The family would like to express they're thanks to all the wonderful members of his Care 1 Hospice team, Beth, Shante, Meme, Sierra, Ashley, Sarah, and Kevin, for their help and support. His other caregivers, Nancy, Anissa, Brittany, and family friend Michael. Dad was very blessed to have his son, Dan, come home for the last 2 months, to provide such wonderful hands-on care. His life here on earth is done. The good memories and the stories that he told, will be in the minds of many.

Dad, you were the BEST, my HERO, and ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS. It was an honor to take care of you, in your final years! All my love forever, until we meet again. All My Love, your daughter Barb.

John was preceded in death by sisters, Rosina, Yolanda (Paul) Retek, Julia (Marion) Hoffman, Mary Marroni, a brother, Berto (Dolly) Marroni, son-in-law, Donny Pierson, and nephew Ken (Amy) Hurt.  He is survived by his loving children, Barb Marroni-Pierson, John Marroni Jr., both of South Bend and Dan Marroni of Los Angeles, CA, his grandchildren, Alida (Alan) Goffinski, Celeste Marroni, Mario Marroni, Kyle Pierson, and Nicholas Pierson. He is also survived by his sisters, Helen (Ed) Counts and Rose Ann (Kenny) Edstrom, brother-in-law, Louie Rodino, his cousins, many nieces and nephews and his special great-granddaughter, Malcah Marroni.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 6th from 2:00 until 8:00PM, in the Hanley and Sons Funeral Home, 23421 SR 23, South Bend. A rosary will be held at 4:00PM. Masks will be optional at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 7th at 10:00AM, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 19704 Johnson Rd., with Fr. John Delaney. John will be laid to rest next to his wife in the Highland Cemetery of South Bend.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to either, Milton Adult Day Services, 3607 Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46545 of St. Jude Catholic Church, 19704 Johnson Rd., South Bend, IN 46614

To anyone who is caring for someone with this horrific disease,

 Please Remember This….

Alzheimer’s

Don’t ask me to remember, don’t try to make me understand, 

Let me rest and know you’re with me. Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.

I’m confused beyond your concept. I am sad and sick and lost,

All I know is that I need you to be with me at all costs.

Do not lose your patience with me. Do not scold or curse or cry.

I can’t help the way I’m acting, can’t be different, ‘though I try’.

Just remember that I need you. That the best of me is gone.

Please don’t fail to stand beside me! Love me ‘til my life is done.

---Owen Darnell---

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