John Russell Barone

 John Russell "JR" Barone, 64, of Sandusky, lost his long and hard-fought battle with cancer, passing away at Stein Hospice Care Center, in Sandusky, on Friday, April 29, 2022, with family at his side.
   A lifelong resident of Sandusky, JR was born to Joe and Karol (nee Kraus) Barone on December 20, 1957.  He graduated from Perkins High School in 1976, where he played football and ran track in his early high school years, foregoing the sports in his later high school years to work weekends for his grandfather at Barone's Beer Barrel.  After graduation, he attended the Bowling Green State University - Firelands branch, earning an Associates in Social Sciences.
   Like his father and grandfather, he heard the entrepreneurial call and founded his own business, Midwest Home Improvements, which he owned and operated for 33 years.  He loved the home improvement business, and was generous in using his skill set to help family and friends.  After retiring from his own business, he worked for several years for Kalahari in maintenance, but still dabbled in side jobs wherever he was needed.  He was a talented and dependable man and was generous in helping others when and where he could.
   When he was younger, he enjoyed being part of both foosball and golf leagues, and was proud of the recognition earned in garnering a hole-in-one at Mills Creek.  John was a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan, always enjoyed a good Cleveland Indians baseball game, was fond of fishing, and loved cooking, especially for his mom, for whom he was primary caregiver for more than 10 years.  He was happiest when outside in nature, and loved animals.  Hobbies aside, the one pastime he enjoyed most passionately was spending time with family, especially his daughters, Kristen and Erin, and his grandchildren.  Family meant everything to JR, and he was quick to say that of any accomplishments in his life, that which made him most proud was being father to Kristen and Erin.
   JR is survived by his daughters; Kristen (fiance' Dakota) Barone and Erin (Aimo) Pollard; his grandchildren, Conor, Penelope and Oliver; his mother, Karol Barone, all of Sandusky; his sisters, Kay (Don) O'Flaherty of Milan and Val (Mike) Parritt of Perrysburg; and his nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends, all of whom are left to mourn his passing.
   He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Barone; paternal grandparents, John and Angie Barone; and his maternal grandparents, Russell and Kay Kraus.
   JR's family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, from 4-7 pm at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  Prayers will be recited Wednesday morning, May 4, 2022, at 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  Fr. Monte Hoyles officiating.  Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Sandusky.
   Donations may be made in his name to the Humane Society of Erie County, 1911 Superior Street, Sandusky, OH 44870 or to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
   Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with JR's family at davidfkoch.com.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Russell Barone, please visit our floral store.