Dennis Barrone

Dennis Lee Barrone, 61, a lifetime resident of Fort Wayne, died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 23, 2011, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born December 21, 1949 in Fort Wayne to Elmer and Edith (Lude) Barrone. He was the grandson of Amos and Addie (Barnhart) Barrone and Robert and Aldine (Gerber) Lude. His parents and grandparents all preceded him in death along with a younger brother, Randall Barrone, who died at age two.

Dennis attended Maplewood and Kekionga Schools and was a 1968 graduate of Elmhurst High School. He played clarinet in the school band and crafted a number of beautiful and practical woodworking projects at Elmhurst including a grandmother clock.

He had a fulfilling career with Fort Wayne Newspapers from his hiring in 1968 through his retirement in 2010. Having worked in the platemaking, press, and digital imaging departments, he was known for his positive can-do approach. In the words of a former manager, “He maintained equipment to perfection and was tested along the way with old cameras and old equipment. Dennis crawled inside a malfunctioning pager camera and put film through to get an edition out. He made it happen!”

Dennis, like his father, was an avid fisherman on the lakes of northern Indiana and northern Wisconsin. He took great pleasure in catching and cleaning the fish, but never cared to eat them. Dennis was once furious that a creature of the deep had the nerve to pull his new casting rod into the water while he was attending another rod. An hour or so later, having given up on his new rod, he landed a large catfish. The struggle, however, was not over. A tangled mess of line around the fish led to another large catfish and the lost rod. Such was the luck of Dennis Barrone.

Dennis was baptized in the Christian faith in 1970 at the West Creighton Ave. Christian Church where he later served as deacon, elder, trustee, and board chairman. He attended Elmhurst Church of the Nazarene in his youth and placed his membership with the Westview Alliance Church a decade ago. He served the Westview congregation as a member of the financial team, as an usher, and as a trustee.

Dennis married his wife of forty years, Beverly Kay Crothers, on August 22, 1970 in Fort Wayne. Their union was blessed with three children, Adam Barrone, Carla (Barrone) Andrews, and Samuel Barrone, all of Fort Wayne. Beverly and children all survive along with Adam’s wife, Mysti Barrone, Carla’s husband, Colleaf Andrews, and five grandchildren: LeeAnna Washington, Caleb Barrone, Elijah Andrews, Nicholas Barrone, and Adella Barrone. Dennis is also survived by his sister, Daisy (Barrone) Thompson of Nashville, Tennessee.

Dennis was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who instilled responsibility and resourcefulness in his children.

Calling will be held at the Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home for Funerals on Old Trail Rd. on Wednesday, April 27 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Westview Alliance Church, 9804 Illinois Rd., Fort Wayne, will host the funeral at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 28 with Rev. Robert Petty and Pastor Jason Schlatter officiating. Calling begins at 9 a.m. at the church. A graveside service will follow at Prairie Grove Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Westview Alliance Church.