Stephen Albertus Sparks, 95, passed away on January 17, 2016 at Fountain View Assisted Living Facility located in Lowell. A life-long resident of Saranac, Michigan, he lived most of his life on the family farm, which dates back to 1841. Stephen was born on September 22, 1920, in the family farm house. He is a direct descendant of Stephen Sparks, a pioneer from New York, who settled on a tract of land purchased from the government for $1.25 per acre in Section 15, which later became Keene Township of Ionia County. Through a partnership, he and his sons James and Michael continue to farm that same land as part of Sparks Centennial Farm.
During Steve's younger years, he enjoyed hunting, card playing, dancing, and carpentry. He was a lifetime member of the Belding Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Saranac American Legion and a founding member of the former Saranac chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
While he was in the service during WWII, Steve married the love of his life lIa Dickson, on June 17,1942 in St Louis, Missouri, at the Jefferson Army Air Force Barracks Chapel. During their 73 years of marriage, they raised six children; James of Saranac, Marquis (Mary Jo) of Belding, Dan of Lowell, Sonya (Ed) Dworak of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Michael (Barbara)of Saranac, and Sylvia Timmerman of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Carrie Bunting, Leslie (Anthony) Spera, Brian Sparks, Dan (Candice) Sparks, Amy Sparks, Angie (Chris) Cowell, Brayton Sparks, Megann Timmerman, Courtney Timmerman, and his great-grandchildren; Allison (David) Emig, Michael Bunting, Mya Bianchi, Kya Sparks, Madison Sparks and Cooper Sparks. Many nieces and nephews survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Wilma Sparks; brother, Alden and sister,
Evelyn Geiger.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 30th, 11:00 A.M. at the Saranac Community Church with Pastor Becky Poor officiating. Visitation on Friday, Jan. 29th, from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at the Lake Funeral Home in Saranac, MI. Internment at Belding Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com
During Steve's younger years, he enjoyed hunting, card playing, dancing, and carpentry. He was a lifetime member of the Belding Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Saranac American Legion and a founding member of the former Saranac chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
While he was in the service during WWII, Steve married the love of his life lIa Dickson, on June 17,1942 in St Louis, Missouri, at the Jefferson Army Air Force Barracks Chapel. During their 73 years of marriage, they raised six children; James of Saranac, Marquis (Mary Jo) of Belding, Dan of Lowell, Sonya (Ed) Dworak of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Michael (Barbara)of Saranac, and Sylvia Timmerman of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Carrie Bunting, Leslie (Anthony) Spera, Brian Sparks, Dan (Candice) Sparks, Amy Sparks, Angie (Chris) Cowell, Brayton Sparks, Megann Timmerman, Courtney Timmerman, and his great-grandchildren; Allison (David) Emig, Michael Bunting, Mya Bianchi, Kya Sparks, Madison Sparks and Cooper Sparks. Many nieces and nephews survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Wilma Sparks; brother, Alden and sister,
Evelyn Geiger.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 30th, 11:00 A.M. at the Saranac Community Church with Pastor Becky Poor officiating. Visitation on Friday, Jan. 29th, from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at the Lake Funeral Home in Saranac, MI. Internment at Belding Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com
Stephen Albertus Sparks, 95, passed away on January 17, 2016 at Fountain View Assisted Living Facility located in Lowell. A life-long resident of Saranac, Michigan, he lived most of his life on the family farm, which dates back to 1841. Stephen was born on September 22, 1920, in the family farm house. He is a direct descendant of Stephen Sparks, a pioneer from New York, who settled on a tract of land purchased from the government for $1.25 per acre in Section 15, which later became Keene Township of Ionia County. Through a partnership, he and his sons James and Michael continue to farm that same land as part of Sparks Centennial Farm.
During Steve's younger years, he enjoyed hunting, card playing, dancing, and carpentry. He was a lifetime member of the Belding Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Saranac American Legion and a founding member of the former Saranac chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
While he was in the service during WWII, Steve married the love of his life lIa Dickson, on June 17,1942 in St Louis, Missouri, at the Jefferson Army Air Force Barracks Chapel. During their 73 years of marriage, they raised six children; James of Saranac, Marquis (Mary Jo) of Belding, Dan of Lowell, Sonya (Ed) Dworak of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Michael (Barbara)of Saranac, and Sylvia Timmerman of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Carrie Bunting, Leslie (Anthony) Spera, Brian Sparks, Dan (Candice) Sparks, Amy Sparks, Angie (Chris) Cowell, Brayton Sparks, Megann Timmerman, Courtney Timmerman, and his great-grandchildren; Allison (David) Emig, Michael Bunting, Mya Bianchi, Kya Sparks, Madison Sparks and Cooper Sparks. Many nieces and nephews survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Wilma Sparks; brother, Alden and sister,
Evelyn Geiger.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 30th, 11:00 A.M. at the Saranac Community Church with Pastor Becky Poor officiating. Visitation on Friday, Jan. 29th, from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at the Lake Funeral Home in Saranac, MI. Internment at Belding Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com
During Steve's younger years, he enjoyed hunting, card playing, dancing, and carpentry. He was a lifetime member of the Belding Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Saranac American Legion and a founding member of the former Saranac chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
While he was in the service during WWII, Steve married the love of his life lIa Dickson, on June 17,1942 in St Louis, Missouri, at the Jefferson Army Air Force Barracks Chapel. During their 73 years of marriage, they raised six children; James of Saranac, Marquis (Mary Jo) of Belding, Dan of Lowell, Sonya (Ed) Dworak of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Michael (Barbara)of Saranac, and Sylvia Timmerman of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Carrie Bunting, Leslie (Anthony) Spera, Brian Sparks, Dan (Candice) Sparks, Amy Sparks, Angie (Chris) Cowell, Brayton Sparks, Megann Timmerman, Courtney Timmerman, and his great-grandchildren; Allison (David) Emig, Michael Bunting, Mya Bianchi, Kya Sparks, Madison Sparks and Cooper Sparks. Many nieces and nephews survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Wilma Sparks; brother, Alden and sister,
Evelyn Geiger.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 30th, 11:00 A.M. at the Saranac Community Church with Pastor Becky Poor officiating. Visitation on Friday, Jan. 29th, from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at the Lake Funeral Home in Saranac, MI. Internment at Belding Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com
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