Palladium-Item; Sunday, April 4, 2004

E. Dwight Sparks

E. Dwight Sparks, age 57, of Richmond, died unexpectedly Thursday evening (April 1, 2004) at Reid Hospital.

He was born in Berea, Ky., on Jan. 29, 1947, to Earl L. and Allie Mae Murphy Sparks and had lived in the Webster-Richmond area most of his life. He was a 1965 graduate of Richmond High School and was a Vietnam era veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of American Legion Post 315, Richmond Lodge 196 F&AM and the National Rifle Association. He was a well known musician, having played in local bands for many years. He was an employee of Schrock Cabinets.

His wife, Sharon L. Sparks, died on March 16, 2004; and his father, Earl L. Sparks, died on Aug. 27, 2002.

Survivors include daughters, Terri Rich of Centerville, Ind., Donna Long of Fountain City, Ind.; son, Jim Sparks of Webster, Ind.; mother, Allie Mae Sparks of Richmond; sister, Janie McEwen of Richmond; brother, Danny Sparks of Richmond; seven grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday (April 5, 2004) in Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary. Rev. Jim Guard will officiate. Burial will be in Elkhorn Cemetery, where military graveside services will be conducted by the Wayne County Veterans Council. Friends may call on Sunday (April 4, 2004) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where Richmond Lodge 196 F&AM will conduct Masonic services at 7 p.m.

Originally published April 3, 2004