John Edward Bertolla was born to John P. And Irene Bertolla on May 21, 1948, at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. He passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022, at The Retreat in Mobile, Alabama. He is survived by his loving wife, Mae Bertolla, his sons, Adam (Stacee) Bertolla, Ray (Julie) Bertolla, and Keith (Ashleigh) Bertolla, his daughter, Courtney Bertolla Henderson, and stepson Toby (Jessica) Pryear, his grandchildren, Lexee Bertolla, Allee Bertolla, Gatlin (Cami) Bertolla, Grayson Bertolla, Gavin Bertolla, Lucy Bertolla, Haley Pryear, Jaiden Peterson, and Jared Jackson, great-grandchildren Rhett and Kathleen Bertolla, and Braylon and Brightyn Williams, and his loving sister, Madeline (Benny) Darby. He is preceded in death by his parents, John P. and Irene Bertolla, grandson, Forrest Henderson, and stepson, Richard Page.
John Eddie was a “good ole boy.” He spent his life in Baldwin County and was a graduate of Robertsdale High School in 1966. He also attended Faulkner State for a year after high school. His family has been farming in Baldwin County for years, and he was no different. He spent his professional life farming for A. Bertolla and Sons in the Loxley and Belforest areas. He loved to give out many of the vegetables he grew. The Bertolla name is synonymous with farming, and he was proud of that legacy. In his free time, he loved hunting and fishing, watching Auburn and New Orleans Saints football, Atlanta Braves baseball, and talking on the phone with friends and family. He will be missed by so many, but his family is rejoicing that he is no longer in pain.
Pall bearers are Gatlin Bertolla, Grayson Bertolla, Kasey Childress, Michael Darby, Toby Pryear, and Carl Pryear. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Harris, Lester Williams, Darrel Mosley, John Hons, Heuy Harris, Buster Ward, Andy Bertolla, and Denny Bertolla.
Funeral services were held Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Robertsdale, Alabama. Father Jim Morrison officiated. A visitation was held one hour prior to the services at 9 a.m. Burial followed at Belforest Catholic Cemetery in Daphne, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Patrick’s Catholic School, P.O. Box 609, Robertsdale, Alabama 36567.
