The oldest sister of John and James Dalton asked mourners to "find it in your hearts to pray for Jimmy" at John Dalton's funeral Tuesday.

James "Jimmy" Dalton, 52, allegedly stabbed John, 53, in the Palo Alto house they shared with their mother, Patricia, on the evening of July 16.

James has a history of severe mental illness and numerous arrests, according to court records. He is being held without bail. He did not enter a plea to the charge of murder at his court arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday morning, the Daltons' sister, Kathy, addressed the 100-plus mourners at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Palo Alto who came to grieve for John.

As John was dying Monday night, bleeding from the stabbing with a kitchen knife, he cried out to his mother to call 911 and told her he loved her, Kathy said.

But his last words were "Jesus, forgive my sins," she said.

His utterance showed that he died with a clear mind and soul, Kathy said following the service.

John Dalton was one of five children, all raised in Palo Alto. Their father, John "Jack" Dalton taught for 27 years in Palo Alto schools, including many years at Wilbur Middle School. He died in 1984 from cancer.

Patricia raised the children but also taught at Foothill College.

"Life was good," Kathy said of those years.

"John and Jimmy were not only brothers, they were friends," she said. "Jimmy worshiped John."

And John was patient, allowing his little brother to tag along, she said.

"They loved each other," she said, her voice catching with emotion.

John Dalton graduated magna cum laude from St. Francis High School in Mountain View. He later moved to Santa Cruz, where he worked for 17 years for Lipton Soup Co. He was married and raised a family. Dalton enjoyed spending time with his family and his dog, Jenny, bike riding, golf and playing the guitar.

He was interned at the Gate of Heaven cemetery, and the family requested donations be made to animal care organizations.

Poster-sized photo collages dedicated to John, "Grandpappy," were arrayed in the church lobby.

Kathy Dalton left John's friends and family with a special request:

"When you think of John, please don't dwell on the physical ending of his life."

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