Bartalameo "Ben" Pirrone

Bartalameo B. "Ben" Pirrone, age 87, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Rose Arbor Hospice. He was born September 4, 1930 in Otsego the son of Jake and Anna (Badalamenti) Pirrone. A graduate of Otsego High School he attended St. Francis School of Art. Ben had worked as a graphic designer with Sugden Studios, Brown Company (James River), Merchant Publishing Company and Ben Pirrone Photography. In his spare time he enjoyed painting and photography. Ben was a member of the Kalamazoo Institute of Art and the Portage Senior Center. On March 25, 1950 he married Alice Wearmouth who passed away on February 11, 2004. Surviving are his children, Christofer Michaels of Lansing, Teri (Larry Maycock) Coburn of Kalamazoo and Jeff (Sheryl) Pirrone of Otsego; four grandchildren, James (Erin) Coburn of Parchment, Crysta (Greg Pizzino) Coburn of Ypsilanti, Eric Pirrone of Otsego and Jena (Tony) Sposato of Wayland; 6 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, James (Merikay) Pirrone of South Carolina and Jock (Laurie) Pirrone of Middleville; sister, Josephine (Tony) Megna of Grand Haven; many nieces and nephews and his companion, Becca the cat. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son-in-law, Dave Coburn; brothers, Benjamin Pirrone and Joseph Pirrone and sister, Mary Marciniak. Friends may visit with Ben's family from 4-7 P.M., Friday, December 22, 2017 with a rosary at 6:30 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 23, 2017 with Rev. Fr. Simon Manjooran officiating. Burial will follow at St. Margaret's Catholic Cemetery, Otsego. Contributions in memory of Ben may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Heart Association.