David E. Sparks, 81, of Chillicothe, died at 3:47 p.m. May 12, 2015, at Adena Regional Medical Center following an extended illness.
He was born Jan. 12, 1934, in Chillicothe, to the late Fred E. and Alyce M. (Monahan) Sparks. On Dec. 31, 1971, he married the former Donna J. Hagley, who survives.
Also surviving are his sons, David A. Sparks of Chillicothe and Fred (Heiki) Sparks of New Isenburg, Germany; step-children, Jay (Amy) Land of Wilmington, David (Johnna) Land of Chillicothe and Peggy (Dave) Bayless of Durango, Colorado; grandchildren, Jackie (Steve) Hartley, David J. (Lindsey) Sparks, Melissa Kuntz and her fiancé Tommy Bryan, Abigail Land, Alex Land, Rachel (Nate) Stewart, Sarah Bayless and Daniel Bayless; great-grandchildren, Sarah Hartley, August Hartley, Stevie Hartley, David A. Sparks, Calvin Sparks, Tyler Sparks, Wesley Kuntz, Tristen Kuntz, Caleb Kuntz, Samantha Bryan, Katherine Stewart and Gabriel Grey; sister, Patricia A. Barnes; brother, Richard (Audrey) Sparks; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, George Sparks.
David was a 1953 graduate of Centralia High School. He retired from DuPont as a maintenance mechanic following 44 years of service. He also worked as assistant custodian at Trinity United Methodist Church. He was a member of Scioto Lodge No. 6, F & AM. He was very proud that he was able to be baptized by Pastor Kurt King with water from the River Jordan on April 29, 2015.
David was a child of God and a lover of God’s creatures, raising and caring for any and all that passed through his surroundings; namely dogs, cats, sheep, goats, birds and bumblebees. Thank you to Trinity UMC members and attendees for their friendship and prayers, Adena Health System Oncology and doctors, nurses and caregivers on 2A for their friendship and care, and to all his relatives and friends who knew him, loved him and prayed for his healing.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Haller Funeral Home with Pastor Kurt King officiating. Friends may call 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Haller Funeral Home, where a Masonic funeral will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Adena Health Foundation-Cancer Fund, 272 Hospital Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601.
Visit www.hallerfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
