Leona Elaine Sparks

Leona Elaine Sparks, age 92, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at1:05 pm on Monday June 30, 2025, at her residence. Born on July 5, 1932, in Fort Wayne, IN, she was the daughter of Raymond and Flossie (Sponhauer) Park. Leona attended Central High School, Fort Wayne, then on June 24, 1949, she married Max H. Sparks in Lafayette, IN. They lived in Fort Wayne and Columbia City in Indiana and also in Palm Coast and Holly Hill in Florida, before returning to South Whitley, finally settling in Columbia City in 1979. Leona was a homemaker and had an in home day care, where is cared for over 200 children in the area. She also worked as a clerk at Passages and the Second Time Around store. Leona enjoyed sewing and was a certified dollmaker. She made dolls to take all over the world. Survivors include her children Kathy (Junior) Gray, Vicky (Robert) Fry, Joe (Diana) Sparks, Tina Carpenter, Tony Sparks, Steve (Angela Holden) Sparks, and Chuck Sparks; 14 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Max Sparks, 9 siblings, and granddaughter Melissa Sparks. A graveside service for Leona will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in memory of Leona may be made to National Kidney Foundation of Indiana - Northeast. Arrangements by DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.