Clarence Sparks

Clarence W. 'John' Sparks, 60, of Bellville, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, April 21, 2004 in an industrial accident in Perrysville. He was born July 8, 1943, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Raymond and Verna Ward Sparks. He was employed by Mansfield Plumbing in Perrysville and had also worked in Mansfield at the U.S. Post Office, where he was President of the Union. John was a member of the Bellville Amvets Post #43 and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was an avid sports enthusiast, involved both as a player and manager and was inducted into the Mansfield Softball Association Hall of Fame. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, who will be missed very much.

He is survived by his wife, LaDonna Shaffer Sparks; two daughters and sons-in-law, Angela and Robert Smith and Jennifer and Brian Hamilton, all of Bellville; six granddaughters, Tarin Pfoutz, Tiffany Pfoutz, Taylor Pfoutz, Morgan Hamilton, Makenzie Hamilton and Miranda Hamilton; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Bonnie and Terry Smith, Barbara Howard, all of Mansfield, Terry and Dave Miller of Bellville; brother and sister-in-law, James and Pam Sparks of Mansfield; special uncle, Virgil Ward; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Verna Sparks, brothers, Bobby Sparks and Michael Sparks, and sister, Janet Sue Sparks.

Friends may call at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, Monday, April 26 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Peoples Baptist Church, 223 Vanderbilt Road, officiated by Rev. Richard Abney. Burial will follow in Bellville Cemetery.