CHAMPAIGN – Garth E. Sparks, 85, of Champaign, Illinois passed away at 6:35 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at his home after a lengthy illness.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, with the Rev. James Elder officiating. A private family burial will be held at Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign.

Mr. Sparks was born on March 8, 1923, in Charleston. He was the son of John and Hazel Bulla Sparks. He married Nita Arbuckle on March 4, 1949, in Champaign. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Karl (Jacqueline) Sparks of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; one daughter, Julie Sparks of Metairie, La.; and one sister, Gloria (Richard) Sampson of Oakland, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Mr. Sparks studied first to be a pharmacist and then decided to change to graphic arts and photo engraving. He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Champaign. He was an avid reader and enjoyed woodworking. He was a devoted Cubs and Illini fan and was enamored with Tiger Woods. He was an amateur photographer.

Memorials can be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, the Physical Rehabilitation Center at Carle Hospital, the , or to the organization of the donor's Choice.