Joseph Merle Sparks

Joseph Merle Sparks, 82, of Peoria passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Aurora Medical Center in Burlington, Wisconsin with his sons at his bedside.

He was born July 11, 1943, in Peoria to Merle and Agnes Sparks. He married his first wife, Janice Kay Morey in 1963 and was divorced in 1977. He married the love of his life, Mary Helen Sronce in June of 1980 and she passed away July 4, 2018.

Surviving are his daughter Joanna Smoot (fiancé Donny Bartholomew), and three sons, Andy (Kristen) Sparks, Wes Sparks, Joe Sparks, step-daughter Leah Williams, step-sons, Lenny (Lisa) Williams, Gene Ray (Marti) Williams, Larry (Brenda) Williams, and Neal, AKA Bubby (Cathy Jewell) Williams, and brother Ronald (Lynn) Sparks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, and his brother William “Bill” Sparks

Joe was a graduate from Bradley University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering June 5, 1966. Joe worked for the Division of Highways as he worked his way through college. Joe worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company as a Civil and Structural Engineer for over 30 years before he retired. He then came out of retirement and worked for WECO (Washington Equipment Company)/Columbus McKinnon before retiring in Newberry, Florida for Mary’s Fern Hollow Farm which rescued at risk horses.

Joe was quite the handy man and built two homes by himself in Peoria, with his family living in the second home until his sons went away to college.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to local Alzheimer’s/Dementia charities.

His funeral will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 12:00 noon at Haensel-Oswald Funeral Home in Mackinaw. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:45 am also at the Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Mackinaw Cemetery.

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