Brandon Scott Sparrow

AUGUSTA, Ill. -- Brandon Scott Sparrow, 30, of Augusta, died Saturday (Aug. 11, 2012) in Taylorville as the result of an airplane accident.

He was born May 17, 1982, in Macomb to Terry and Rhonda Norris Sparrow. He married Angela Ellefritz on Oct. 22, 2009, in Negril, Jamaica. She survives.

Brandon was a 2000 graduate of Macomb High and attended Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, majoring in aviation flight. He was employed as a driver and planner for Burlington Trailways in Burlington, Iowa, and was an aircraft mechanic apprentice studying for his Airframe and Powerplant tests. He was building and approaching the covering phase of his Pitts S1-SS, which he hoped to complete and fly next year.

Brandon's love for flying began with his first air show at the age of 6. At a young age he was a member of the Bushnell "Flying Fools" radio controlled airplane club. He was a flight student of Roger Smith of Macomb, earning his private pilot's license at the age of 16. He was an avid skydiver and a member of the Mid-America Sport Parachute Club of Taylorville. He enjoyed golf and photography, and volunteered for HUGS of Hancock County, a cancer support group. He attended Augusta Christian Church.

Brandon was a gifted musician, playing trumpet for Macomb High marching band, wind symphony and jazz band. In junior high, he earned the Louis Armstrong jazz award and in high school the John Phillip Sousa award. He was a member of the WIU Marching Leathernecks and the Concert Band. At SIU, he was a member of the marching band and other music ensembles. He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity.

He served with the Illinois Army National Guard â€" Band Unit in Springfield, and the Army Band in Chicago.

He also is survived by his mother, Rhonda (Terry) Thomas of Taylorville; his father, Terry (Mary Helen) Sparrow of Macomb; two brothers, Austin (Deb) of Roseville and Anthony (Amber) of Macomb; one stepsister, Michele Teslicka of Macomb; four stepbrothers, Timothy Teslicka of Macomb, David (Courtney) Thomas and Doug Thomas (Courtney Gingery) of Taylorville, and John (Annie) Cone of Green Cove Springs, Fla. He is survived by paternal grandparents, Lawrence (Elizabeth) Sparrow of Winter Haven, Fla.; maternal grandparents, Jim (Jean) Norris of Tennessee, Ill.; paternal stepgrandfather, Ralph Waller of Macomb; maternal stepgrandparents, Ken (Kay) Thomas of Taylorville; paternal stepgrandparents, Neyron Durrence of Valdosta, Ga., and Nancy C. Murfin of Colchester; and Angela's great-grandmother, Anita Laisle of Keokuk, Iowa. He is also survived by five nephews, Jaxon Ellefritz, Jack Sparrow, Keegan Foglesong, JohnMichael Cone and Hadyn Cone, and two nieces, Kyndal Cone and McKenna Anderson. Additionally, he is survived by his father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert (Tina) Ellefritz of Augusta; his brother-in-law, Robert Ellefritz of Augusta; his sister-in-law, Erika Ellefritz of Augusta; and close friends, Roger (Judy) Smith of Macomb, and Pat Whalen and Sherri Whalen of Colchester.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, June Waller.

SERVICES: Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Augusta Christian Church, Augusta, with the Rev. Ryan Derr conducting.

VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and because of Brandon's love for flying it will be held at Smith Airport, located on the east side of Macomb on U.S. 67, just south of Ill. 136.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Brandon Sparrow Memorial Fund, at Bank of Advance, Bowen Banking Center, in care of Bev Leasman, 415 W. Fifth St., Bowen, IL 62316.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hamilton Funeral Home in Augusta.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.