William R. Sparks

07/21/1932 - 09/25/2005

William R. Sparks, 73, of Indian Head, died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, at his home, after a long and courageous battle, while surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 21, 1932, in Davistown, Saltlick Township, a son of Helen C. Cole Sparks, of Indian Head, and the late Frank R. Sparks. William was a graduate of Connellsville High School with the Class of 1950. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was an active member of St. Raymond of the Mountain Roman Catholic Church in Donegal. William was general manager and partner of the Indian Head Snack Bar. He was an avid Friday night card shark. William was a wonderful husband, son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and godfather, and will be sorely missed by his whole family. In addition to his mother, Helen C. Sparks, of Indian Head, William is survived by his wife of 50 years, Helen Marie Nedrow Sparks; daughter, Deborah Ernesty and her husband, Ern; daughter, Monica Crocetti; son, Thomas Sparks and his wife, Lynda; and son, James Sparks, all of Indian Head; daughter, Stephanie Huey and her husband, Barry, of Champion; son, Timothy Sparks and his wife, Anna, of Melcroft; and daughter, Trisha Sparks and her husband, Eric Whirlow, of New Stanton. William is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Dr. Michael Ernesty, of Murrysville, Nicole Shearer and husband, Brian, of Mill Run, Tomasina Crocetti, of Philadelphia, Frank and Madison Crocetti, of Indian Head, Elizabeth and Andrew Sparks, of Indian Head, Jeremy Sparks, of Indian Head, Justin Sparks, of Connellsville, Jeanna Sparks, of Champion, Sheena Sparks, of Ruffsdale, Cody and Nash Huey, of Champion, and Corwin and Tyler Sparks, of Melcroft. William was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Cole and Bryn Shearer, of Mill Run. William is also survived by his three brothers, Robert Sparks and his wife, Patricia, and John Sparks and his wife, Beverly, all of Indian Head, and Richard Sparks and his wife, Alice, of Normalville; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, William was predeceased by his daughter, Trudy Sparks; and a brother, Thomas Sparks. Family and friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 711, Melcroft. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Raymond of the Mountain Roman Catholic Church, Donegal, with the Rev. John Harrold as celebrant. A committal service and interment will follow in St. Raymond's Cemetery, Saltlick Township. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Raymond of the Mountain Roman Catholic Church, School House Lane, Donegal, PA 15628, in memory of William R. Sparks. A Pro-Life Committee rosary will be recited at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. To sign the online guest registry, please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com.