Memorials

Rod “Nick” Sparks, 41, of Bippus, died at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, 2009 in single vehicle accident in northeast Wabash County.
He was born April 10, 1968, in Columbia City, a son of Jerry and Jerri (Kneller) Sparks. He spent his formative years in South Whitley and Sidney where he attended elementary school. He attended Whitko High School.
On March 3, 2008, he married Maria A. Shepherd. They made their home in Leachville, Arkansas. In February of 2009, they moved to Bippus.
He was employed by Quality Welding, Warsaw. Previously, he was employed by Lexicon of Leachville, Arkansas, for nine years as a welding supervisor.
He is survived by his wife, Maria; his mother, Jerri Sparks, three sons, Austin, Arik and Adam Sparks all of Cape Coral, Florida; five step-daughters, Crysten and Kelsi Custer of North Manchester, Madisan, Mykenna and Morgan Alexander of Laketon; his grandmother, Mary Kneller of Columbia City; two brothers, Matt Sparks of North Manchester and Tony Phillips of Chicago, and nephew Hunter Sparks of North Manchester.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry, who was also killed in a one vehicle accident; grandparents, Adam and Lillian Sparks and Floyd Kneller.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Smith and Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley with Pastor James Churchill of Morning Star Four Square Church, Warsaw, officiating. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Final Expenses c/o Smith and Sons Miller Chapel.