Tom H. Sparks

February 22, 1908 - January 19, 2012

Tom H. Sparks, 103, of St. Joseph died Thursday, January 19, 2012, at the Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph. A private family service will be held at a later time. Cremation has taken place and burial of the ashes will be at Riverview Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made St. Joseph/Lincoln Township Senior Center or the Faith United Methodist Church in Bridgman. Please share memories or photos at www.Florin.net. Tom was born on February 22, 1908 in Cedardale, OK to Charles and Utah Sparks. His first wife, Millie, preceded him in death in 1993 and his second wife, Dorothy, preceded him in 2001. He was a veteran of the US Army during WWII and was a member of a number of area veterans groups. Tom served on the St. Joseph City Commission for 14 years and was Mayor of the City of St. Joseph from 1955 to 1962. He was also active in the Childwatch Program and a member of the St. Joseph Elks Club. Tom liked wood working and gardening. He is survived by his children, Carolyn Sparks of St. Paul, MN and Tim Sparks of Phoenix, AZ; his brother, Duke (Marge) Sparks, of Clarkston, MI; his special niece, Char (Tom) Renner, of Watervliet and his pastor, Terry Schnieder. He was also preceded in death his parents and his brothers, Dan, Charles (Shorty), Jack, Al and Jim.