Obituaries: Sparks

Posted on October 30, 2015

Elva Sparks

Elva “Jean” Sparks, 91 of Fairbury, died at 8:45 a.m., Oct. 29 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Her visitation will be from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Sunday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. A graveside service will follow the visitation at 3:30 p.m. at Avoca Township Cemetery, rural Fairbury.

Jean was born Jan. 22, 1924 in Piper City; the daughter of James and Caroline (Zeh) Weakman. She married Glenn A. Sparks Sr. on May 31, 1943 in Fairbury. He preceded her in death Dec. 4, 1994. One son, Glenn A. “Bud” Sparks Jr. and one brother, James LaVerne Weakman also preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children, Portia Eckhoff of Surprise, Ariz.; Becca (Larry) Maurer of Glendale, Ariz.; Wendy Sparks of Fairbury; Jay (Lisa) Sparks of Bloomington; one sister, Phyllis Fleming of Huntsville, Ala.; seven grandchildren: Bob (Kelly) Eckhoff, Pontiac; Lynn Kinney, Cleveland, Tenn.; Tim Maurer, Aurora; Angela (Mark) Messman, Bloomington; Anita (Neocles) Loizou, Glendale, Ariz.; Sarah Sparks, Bloomington; Bo Sparks, Dallas, Texas; 10 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to Dominy Memorial Library, Fairbury or Fairview Haven Retirement Community, “Activity Fund”, Fairbury.

An online guest book and registry are available to leave condolences to the family at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.

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