Joseph Bernard Saltaformaggio

January 20, 1937 - September 6, 2026

Joseph Bernard Saltaformaggio passed away at his residence in Bogalusa, LA, on Sunday evening, with his daughter by his side. He was 89 years old.

Joseph was a lifelong resident of Bogalusa, La. He attended Annunciation Catholic School, was a 1954 graduate of Bogalusa High School, and graduated in 1955 from Touro Infirmary School of X-Ray Technology. In 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Sims, and earned a business degree from Southeastern Louisiana College, where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma. He began a lifelong career with Dixie Life Insurance and later became a vice president of the Mothe Group, which included Dixie Life Insurance.

Over the years, he belonged to various social and community organizations.

In 2005, Joseph was honored by the Archdiocese of New Orleans with the Order of St. Louis IX Medal, which recognizes exceptional volunteer service and leadership to the Church.

He was especially dedicated to the annual St. Joseph Altar. In 2011, he was honored by the Italian American Club for his decades of service to the altar.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Sims Saltaformaggio; his parents, Joe and Katie Saltaformaggio; his father- and mother-in-law, Leonard and Ethel Sims; and son-in-law, David Arceneaux.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, April Saltaformaggio Arceneaux and his grandchildren, Catherine Arceneaux and Matthew (Lori) Arceneaux.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Egan Hospice for their excellent care and compassion, especially Monica, Becky, Simeon and Byron.

Thank you to all for your kind expressions of sympathy and love. Your continued prayers will be treasured in the days to come.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Annunciation Catholic Church in Bogalusa, LA on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Angel Diaz-Perez officiating. Entombment will follow in the Sanctuary of Peace Mausoleum, located in the center of Ponemah Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Larry Breland, Ethan Mizell, Shane Scott, Tony Travis, Brad Williams, Louis Wright

Honorary Pallbearers:

Joe and Sharon Ball, Joel and Leslie Ball, Mary Boulware, Eleanor Duke, David Duke, Will Crain, Don Fendlason, Bill and Rhonda Penton, Paul and Cathy Haire, Wade and Amy Mizell, Bryan and Cherie Genco, Bill McGehee and family, Wendell and Kathy Seal, Marie Alford, John and Durlene Bigler, Scott and Dru Scoggin, Lenny and Durie St. Pierre, John and Durla Kelleher, Marian Giacone Burr, Jerri Ann and Danny Stewart.

A visitation will be held at the church on Friday morning, September 18, 2026, from 9:00 A.M. until Mass time at 11:00 A.M.

Flowers are gratefully appreciated. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Italian American Club in support of the St. Joseph Altar:

Italian American Club

517 Avenue B

Bogalusa, LA 70427

To view/sign guestbook, please visit: pooleritchiefuneralhome.com