Cletis Russell Sparks

Cletis Russell Sparks, age 89, of Bloomington passed away on Saturday, January 12 at Hearthstone Health Campus. Born December 23, 1929 in Bloomington, he was the son of Curtis Paul and Edna Essa (Hamilton) Sparks. While growing up in Bloomington, he attended Hillside Elementary, Hensonburg Elementary and Joint Elementary. He graduated with the class of 1947 from Ellettsville High School where he was a team member of the 1947 Ellettsville Sectional Basketball Champions. He went on to attend Indiana University. Cletis served from February, 1951 to January, 1953 in The U.S. Army, 47th Division, 164th Infantry Regimental HQ Company, Security Platoon during the Korean War. Cletis had worked as a sausage maker at Bloomington Packing Company and later became the owner and operator of C&L Carpet Cleaning Service. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where he served as an Assistant Scout Leader for Boy Scout Troop #148. Cletis enjoyed traveling, boating, water skiing, walking, bowling, watching sports, spending time with family and his pets. Cletis is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lois Jane (Cassman) Sparks, his son, Russell Alan (Sherry) Sparks, of Pensacola, Florida; two daughters, Lori Jane (Jon) Holt, of Conover, North Carolina and Linda Kay (Ed) Munsch, of Greenwood, Indiana; one granddaughter, Taylor Munsch, two grandsons, Stephen Munsch and Samuel Holt and several cousins. Cletis was preceded in death by his father in 1993, his mother in 1987, his sister, Esther Blanche Sparks Carpenter in 2013 and his brother, Estel Kenneth Sparks in 2005. A memorial graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25 at Valhalla Memory Gardens; 310 N. Johnson Ave.; Bloomington, IN 47404. Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com