David E. Sparks
April 10, 2019
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Service Details
David Sparks, 93, passed away April 10, 2019, at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines. He was born April 24, 1925, to Lee and Ola Sparks.
David was born and raised in Chariton, Iowa, and was the oldest of seven. He served in the United States Army during WWII until his honorable discharge.
David had a strong work ethic that was shown even in his teenage years. Prior to his military service, and even throughout, he sent his earnings home to help provide for his family. David retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years of dedicated service.
David was an avid gardener and in retirement, he purchased a 185-acre farm that he tended for 20 years. He shared the fruits of his labor at the Knoxville Farmer’s Market and was lovingly known as the “Tomato Man.”
David was a member of Auburn Masonic Lodge 592 and Boline-Manfredi VFW Post 9662.
David is survived by his sons, Terry (Sharon) Sparks, David “Rick” (Connie) Sparks, Bruce (Cindy) Sparks, and Brent (Teri) Sparks; grandchildren, Kelli (Scott) Worth, Matthew (Megan) Sparks, Ryan Sparks, Brande (Brand) Milosevich, Joebe (Reggie) Smith, Chad (Julie) Sparks, Cory (Angie) Sparks, Chasity Sparks (Michael Walker), Desiray Walker (Kyle Maas), Hattie (Brad) Grant, Shawn (T.J.) Cory, Shane (Jen) Sparks, Ben (Valerie) Sparks, and Telsa (Ryan) Comunale; 39 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Pat) Sparks; sisters, Jackie Smith, Dixie (Stan) Hillebo, and Colleen Walker, as well as a host of other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; sons, Gordon and Joseph Sparks; and two sisters, Leona Stoler and Florine Pirtle.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 18, 2019, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines from 12-2 p.m., with funeral services to begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of David’s wife.
Condolences may be expressed online at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Joyce Roby
04/16/2019
Sending deepest condolences to the Sparks family. I have so many wonderful memories with all of you and am so sorry for your loss. Mike and I are still in Florida so we will not be able to attend services. Please know you are in our thoughts. RIP Uncle David.
Doug jackson
04/12/2019
Thinking of you guys.
Stephen Rios
04/12/2019
I'm going to cherish the memories. Praying for all of the family during this time of sorrow.
Linda Reyno Jennings
04/11/2019
My condolences to Davids entire family. I have fond memories of David and Im sure he will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Susan Bernard
04/11/2019
I knew David through my husband, Mark Bernard as his son Bruce and Mark were good friends for years before Mark passed. David was my knight in shining armor one evening when I was returning from Des Moines to Chariton, 9 months pregnant, during an ice storm and went down a steep embankment. Back then there were no cell phones and David came out in the storm and picked me up from the Casey store and delivered me home safely as my husband was working nights at HyVee. He was caring and funny and I am forever grateful for his wonderful assistance on that scary night and send my heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and friends during this time.
Linnea
04/11/2019
I am so very sorry for your loss. Uncle David was such a sweet (and wonderfully ornery) fellow. I know how difficult it is to lose someone whom means the world to you, and I'll be thinking of the family, and praying that wonderful memories of such a sweet man will comfort in times of sadness. My love to the Sparks', far and wide.
Sherry Love Van Maanen
04/10/2019
Sorry for your loss. A lot of memories remembered. Thinking of your family.