Russell ‘Russ’ ‘Mel’ Allen Pirlot

WILSON — Russell “Russ” “Mel” Allen Pirlot, 72, of Wilson, passed away Monday evening at his home, July 29, 2024 while surrounded by his family.

He was born in Escanaba on January 28, 1952, son of Fred and Rosemarie Meyette Pirlot. Russ was raised in Wilson and attended Bark River Harris Schools. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1974.

Russ married his high school sweetheart, Cheryl, in August after his college graduation. They lived in Escanaba for the first six years of their marriage and later moved back to Wilson. They eventually settled into their log cabin on the Cedar River which Russ called, “his little piece of Heaven.”

Russell worked as a purchasing agent for Harnischfeger Corp. for nine years before its closure. He worked at several other corporations before returning to school and attaining his Master’s Degree. He returned to his first passion, education, after this achievement.

He was principal at Holy Spirit School in Norway, Holy Name in Escanaba and Roosevelt in Menominee. He returned home to be the principal of Bark River Harris for six years and retired as their superintendent in 2010. Russell coached and refereed boys and girls basketball and was a member of the BRH school board. He was also on the financial board at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Bark River.

An avid bow and rifle hunter, Russ spent countless hours with his sons on their property. He also went on several hunting and fishing trips to Canada and Montana with his family and friends.

Nothing was more valuable to Russ than his kids and grandkids. Papa took daily side-by-side rides with his grandchildren during the summer. If he didn’t show up by 10 a.m., his phone would be ringing! It didn’t matter if he was teaching them how to shoot hoops, hit golf balls, how to hunt and fish or even playing a few games of “Old Rat,” there was always smile on his face when they entered the cabin.

Among his survivors are his wife, Cheryl Pirlot; his children, Brooks (Nikki Heim) Pirlot and Brendon (Ashley Thornton) Pirlot; grandchildren, Brynn, Hannah, Skylar, Cora, Aubree, Brantlee and Caden Pirlot; Siblings, Terry Pirlot and Roxanne (Rod) Rahoi; Mother-in-law, JoAnne LaBonte; sister and brothers-in-law, Renee (Duane) Faust, Mike (Lennea) LaBonte, Michelle LaBonte, Lynette LaBonte, Patrick (Debbie) LaBonte, Keith LaBonte, Kevin (Sheri) LaBonte, Dale (Mary) LaBonte, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends that he treasured.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Shasta; brother, Fred “Chas” Pirlot Jr.; and father-in-law, Napoleon LaBonte Jr.

Visitations will take place on Friday, August 9, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. EST at the Crawford Funeral Chapel, 1236 Old U.S. 2 & 41, Bark River, MI 49807. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church at 5 p.m. with Rev. Darryl Pepin officiating. A meal will be provided after the Mass. A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Pirlot family.