John Richard "Chick" Bartone, MD, 85, of Old Mission, passed away at his home Monday, June 10th, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born on March 30, 1928 to Giovanni and Maria (Marano) Bartone of Conneaut, Ohio. He was the youngest in a family of six children; in adulthood, he would go on to father six boys of his own.

After completing high school, John joined the army. He honorably served in the United States Army's 11th Airborne Occupational Force in Japan. After the service, he matriculated at John Carroll University in Cleveland before entering medical school at Loyola University in Chicago, graduating in 1948. While completing his residency in Neurosurgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, he met and eventually married Sharon Jane Balliet. The couple married on May 16, 1959 at St. Agnes Church in Detroit. After completing residency, they moved to Northern California . In short order, however, they returned to the Midwest, to be near family and to enjoy the region's seasons. John moved his practice to Traverse City, and became Northern Michigan's first neurosurgeon (at the start, his practice covered the UP and the lower peninsula north of Saginaw). He also served as one of the area's first intensive care physicians, practicing at Munson Medical Center from 1963 until 1994.

In addition to his medical vocation, John spent many happy hours gardening and landscaping, and persevered , through thick and thin, as a Lions and Tigers fan. He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Old Mission, for over 40 years. His passion for the performing arts resulted in unfailing patronage of the Interlochen Center for the Arts over several decades. He also supported the Dennos Museum, and the restorations of Lars Hockstad Auditorium and the State Theater.

John is survived by his wife, Sharon Jane Bartone of Traverse City, and their sons, Jeffrey Bartone of Olympia, WA; Dana (Maggie) Bartone of Bath, ME; John (Andrea) Bartone of Buena Vista, CO; Adam (Christy) Bartone of Grandville, MI; Matthew (Leslie) Bartone of Redwood City, CA; Joshua (Amanda) Bartone of Tahoe City, CA; and grandchildren: Tesla, Ezrah, Xander, Nicco, Anthony, Gianni, and Soren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings: Anthony, Susan, Alfred, Henry and Emil.

At Dr. Bartone's request, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held. Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice, 210 Beaumont Place, Traverse City, MI 49684 ( www.munsonhealthcare.org/foundation ) or your local hospice.