Richard Sparks

Richard Warren Sparks, 85, of Chillicothe, died peacefully at his home Thursday, June 30, 2016, following an extended illness. Dick was born June 28, 1931 in Chillicothe to the late Fred and Alyce Monahan Sparks. He was a lifelong resident of Ross County. On February 12, 1956, he married his wife of 60 years, Catherine "Audrey" Dennis Sparks, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Michael Sparks, Chillicothe, Timothy (Virginia) Sparks, Ft. Worth, TX, and Kelly (Robert) Huguet, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 8 grandchildren, Sarah, Mackenzie, John Kelly, Richard and Alex Sparks, Maleyna Romney, Mary Sophia and Robert Huguet; a sister, Patricia Barnes, of Chillicothe; brothers and sisters-in-law, Nancy Frey, Michael (Cheryl) Dennis, Charles Dennis, Patrick (Bernie) Dennis and Mary Jane (Daniel) Rogers; and several nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his faithful dog Charlie. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George and David Sparks and two brothers-in-law, John B. (Judy) Dennis Jr. and Steve (Joann) Dennis. Dick was a 1950 graduate of Centralia High School and attended Ohio University-Chillicothe. He was a member of Scioto Lodge 6 F & AM and the Chillicothe Country Club. He retired from Martin Marietta. During his 42 years in the lab, he was published in the American Chemical Society trade journal. "Sparky" was an avid sportsman, and a positive influence throughout his years of coaching at Bishop Flaget and Unioto High School. His love of baseball and basketball was shared throughout the community, as he used these sports to teach the values that guided his life. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 am Wednesday at St. Peter Catholic Church, Rev. William Hahn, Celebrant. Military graveside services, conducted by the Ross Co. Veterans Honor Guard, will follow in St. Margaret Cemetery. Friends may call 1-3 and 5-7 pm Tuesday at the Haller Funeral Home & Crematory, where a wake service will be held at 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Peter Church, 285 W. Water St., Chillicothe, OH 45601, or the donor's favorite charity.
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