John Alan Balikowski

Dr. John Alan Balikowski, 85, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on September 13, 2023. Born on April 8, 1938, in Buffalo, NY he was the only child of Bernard and Felicia (Meder) Balikowski.

John was a dental officer in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. After the military, John was a dentist in Elma, NY. He became an Assembly of God minister and missionary of the Gospel. After his wife Donna passed in 2004, he met Ron Lamb and became a part of World Dental Relief as a medical missionary. John lived a long life full of acclaim and achievements. He was most proud of the accomplishment of relocating to Ethiopia where he started a dental college and built a bible school. He was a recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the University of Buffalo. Additionally, John was a longtime member of Northside Assembly of God Church in Lakeland where he loved to preach and share the Gospel. John was a devout man of God whom many compared to the Apostle Paul. He was a leader who taught about the death, resurrection, and Jesus Christ as Lord, sharing that faith in Him secured a place with Him.

John will receive full military honors for his service in the United States Navy and laid to rest in Florida National Cemetery with his beloved wife, Donna in Bushnell, Florida.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Donna (Florko) Balikowski. John is survived by his children, John (Marilyn) Balikowski Jr., Cynthia L. (Matt) Lis, Brian J. Balikowski, and Mark A. Balikowski. He leaves behind his grandchildren, Jacqueline L. Balikowski, John A. Balikowski III, Emme Lis, Justin Lis, Brian Balikowski Jr., Shannon Marie Partridge, Eden Hopkins, and Philip Balikowski as well as eight great-grandchildren and two on the way.

Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Lanier Funeral & Cremation Services. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. John will receive military honors at Florida National Cemetery on Thursday, September 21, 2023 promptly at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to World Dental Relief, 609 North Main Street. Broken Arrow, Ok 74012

Online condolences can be made at www.lanier.care.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Lanier Funeral and Cremation Services, 717 Griffin Road Lakeland, FL 33805, (863) 687-3996

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