Richard E. Sparling, 93, of rural Wabash, Indiana, died at 7:10 am, Friday, April 27, 2018 at Parkview Wabash Hospital. He was born January 14, 1925 in Lagro Township in Wabash County, to Homer and Mary (Preiser) Sparling.
Dick was a 1943 graduate of Lagro High School. He married Marjorie Hawkins, in Wabash, on November 7, 1947, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last year. He was a rural mail carrier twenty-five years, retiring in 1987, and also was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, and a charter member of the Richvalley Lions Club. He enjoyed gardening and cutting wood.
He is survived by wife, Marjorie Sparling of Wabash, three children, Ron (Lavonne) Sparling and Craig (Monica) Sparling, both of rural Lagro, Joyce (Bill) Gentry of Indianapolis, Indiana, three grandchildren, Kale (Emily) Sparling of Gilbert, Arizona, Julie (Dukengtson) Lavache of Wabash, and Kami (Scott) Ross of Lagro, six great-grandchildren, Christian and Drew Shoemaker, both of Wabash, Chase and Noah Ross, both of Lagro, and Finn and Theo Sparling, both of Gilbert, brother, Wayne (Beverly) Sparling of Wabash, and sister-in-law, Miriam Sparling of Wabash. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Casey Sparling, brother, Robert Sparling, and his sister, Mary Ellen Willmert.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash, with Rev. Chris Tiedeman officiating. Burial will be in Friends Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 5 – 8 p.m., Monday, April 30, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Casey Sparling Memorial Scholarship C/O Community Foundation of Wabash County, 105 W. 2nd Street, North Manchester 46962, or Christ United Methodist Church, 477 N Wabash Street, Wabash.
The memorial guest book for Dick may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.