Johnie Lee Sparks, 71, died on Friday, July 20, 2012, at 8:50 p.m. in his cabin home. Born on May 3, 1941, in Beech Grove, he was the son of Lawrence Alvin “Larry” Sparks and Elma Mae “Nickie” (Nichols) Sparks- Agnew.
He graduated from Beech Grove High School and attended Indiana Central. John married Margaret “Peggy” Mary (Neal) Oliver on June 1, 1984, in Greenfield.
John worked for Lucent Technologies as a Maintenance Supervisor before retiring in 2001, and then he went on to work for Schneider Engineering Corporation, where he also participated in Meals on Wheels, in Indianapolis until his retirement in 2010. Mr. Sparks was a former member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Fortville, and a current member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Greenfield, Telephone Pioneers of America, and Jaycee’s. He loved being with Peggy and his family, his pets, his home, fishing, motorcycling and golfing.
Surviving him are his wife, Peggy Sparks of Greenfield; step-dad, Don Agnew of Indianapolis; children, Tommy (Debbie) Sparks, and Christie (Garth) Facker both of Indianapolis; step-children, Kelly (Brian) Bertram of Paragon, and Gary (Andrea) Oliver of Fishers; granddaughter, Katie Sparks; 12 step-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; and sister, Sharon “Deedie” (Paul) Williams of Indianapolis.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Larry Sparks and Elma Mae “Nickie” Agnew.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 24, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield with Rosary Service starting at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Greenfield with viewing prior to the service from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Erlewein Mortuary. Monsignor William Stumpf will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Indiana University Simon Cancer Center at 1110 W. Michigan Street, LO 506, Indianapolis, IN 46202 or www.cancer.iu.edu Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
