William Sparks

William Elwood Sparks, 82, of Bloomington passed away Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. Born December 12, 1926 in Monroe County he was the son of Alfred and Roxie (Breeden) Sparks.Elwood Sparks attended Bloomington High School and graduated in 1945. He attended one semester at I.U., but shortly thereafter joined the Army. He is probably one of a unique group of servicemen because he saw numerous conflicts. He served in WWII (arrived in the Philippines just as the war ended), served in Korea in 1962, and he served in Vietnam in 1969. While in the Army, Elwood and his family lived and traveled throughout the world. He was stationed in Colorado Springs; Verdun, France; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Ord, California; Karlsruhe, Germany; and Lafayette, Indiana. Elwood retired from the Army after 24 years of service and returned to settle in Bloomington in 1971. He worked for 15 years at Bloomington's Main Post Office on Fourth Street, retiring from there in 1996 at the age of 60, and then from the Area 10 Agency.Elwood is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Lavellette "Ann" (Owen) Sparks; two daughters Debbie Hueston (Woody) of Bloomington and Brenda Holloman of Texas; four grandchildren Sarah Moore (Lloyd "Kyle"), Amy Hutchinson (Lucas), Kevin Hueston all of Bloomington and Paul Holloman of South Carolina; three great grandchildren Hannah, Jamie and Mason; son-in-law Bob Holloman of Texas; two brothers Donnie Sparks ( Romaine) of Martinsville, and Warren Sparks (Gladys) of Bloomington; and one sister Crystal Pyke of Pennsylvania.Elwood was preceded in death by his parents as well as brothers and sisters, Jim Sparks (1994), Molly Vaught (1999), Betty Gentry (2004), and Zothel who died at the age of 8 years.William Elwood Sparks never knew a stranger, he liked to chat with everyone. He enjoyed all sports and most days you could find him watching any game on ESPN or Big Ten Network. He was a loving, kind man who enjoyed the outdoors, loved to fish, watch birds, eat and be present with his grandkids and great grandkids. He had a wonderfully sweet sense of humor. Elwood's smiling face, firm hand shake, and mischievous twinkle in his eyes will be missed by family and friends.Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 4, 2009 at Allen Funeral Home with Pastor Rob Martindale officiating. Burial will be at Greene County Chapel Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard. Family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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William Sparks

December 12, 1926 - December 1, 2009