Ray William Sparks

Mattoon, IL-Ray 'Bill' William Sparks, age 77, of Mattoon, passed away at 7:54 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.\r\n\r\nThe funeral service celebrating his life will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 31, 2008 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Reverend Dennis Kollross officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites conducted by the VFW Post 4325. Visitation will be Sunday evening at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. with a Biblical Wake service beginning at 4:30 p.m.\r\n\r\nMr. Sparks was born June 1, 1930 in Charleston, Illinois, the son of Ray C. and Madeline (Tinsman) Sparks. He married Marianna Crum on June 9, 1954 in Mattoon. She survives. Other survivors include their seven children: Tony Sparks and wife Debbie of Mattoon, Tim Sparks and wife Joan of Lincoln, Nebraska, Philomena Bruner and husband Greg of West Dundee, Illinois, Dan Sparks and wife Cindy of Bloomington, Indiana, Angie Lawrence and husband John 'Cal' of Farmer City, Illinois, Amy Kolker and husband Alex of East Moline, Illinois, and Ernie Sparks and wife Debbie of Mattoon; one brother: Larry Sparks and his wife Joyce of Mattoon; and twelve grandchildren: Megan Sparks of Chicago, Illinois, Mindy Sparks of Mattoon, Melanie Sparks of Mattoon, Matt Bruner of West Dundee, Illinois, John Bruner of West Dundee, Illinois, Jay Sparks of Bloomington, Indiana, Jeff Sparks of Bloomington, Indiana, Christine Sparks of Bloomington, Indiana, Andrew Lawrence of Normal, Illinois, Amanda Lawrence of Farmer City, Illinois, Rayanna Sparks of Mattoon, and Ryan Sparks of Mattoon. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Peggy Larimore. \r\n\r\nMr. Sparks was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Mattoon, a lifetime member and fourth degree of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the American Legion in Mattoon and a member and past president of the Mattoon High School Letterman's Club. \r\n\r\nA United States Army Veteran, Mr. Sparks had served in the Korean War. He was former owner and operator of DX Gas Station and former Manager of Shell Gas Station. He had also worked at USI in Tuscola, Lake Land College of Mattoon, and was a retired employee of Anamet of Mattoon. More recently, he had owned and operated the Darby Pipe Shop. \r\n\r\nBill was a die hard Chicago Cubs Fan, an avid bowler, and loved photography and developing the many family photographs he took. He enjoyed bird watching, gardening, and watching Mattoon High School Green Wave Football and other sporting events. He also enjoyed the time he dedicated to coaching youth football and serving as Cub Scout Leader. \r\n\r\nBill was a devoted husband and father, and a loving grandfather whose adoration for his family was evident in his commitment and dedication to each of them.\r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society or the Mattoon Community Food Center.

Tributes

Ray William Sparks

June 1, 1930 - March 27, 2008