Obituaries
Howard Thomas Sparks
May 20, 2022
Howard Thomas “Tom” Sparks, 86, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at home after a period of declining health. He was born on April 22, 1936, in Norwalk, Ohio to Dr. Howard C. and Mary E. (Shondel) Sparks and was raised in Monroeville, Ohio. Tom graduated from Monroeville High School in 1954, where he played basketball and baseball. He attended Ohio University and served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958. He then built a career in banking, working at Citizens National Bank in Norwalk, Chippewa Valley Bank in Rittman, Ohio, and Key Bank in Milan, Ohio. Tom’s interests included reading, history (particularly Civil War), computers, and following THE Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball, and his beloved Monroeville Eagles.
Tom married Audrey (Vanderaar) Sparks on September 17, 1960, and she preceded him in death on October 13, 2021. Tom is survived by his children Denise (Michael L.) Behary of West Salem, Ohio and Michael Sparks of Bucyrus, Ohio; grandchildren Daniel (Gilicove) Woods of Akron, Ohio; Andrew Woods of Los Angeles, California; Matthew Woods of Medina, Ohio; Kristen (fiancé Christian Baughman) Woods of Seville, Ohio; Caitlyn Sparks of Bucyrus, Ohio; Amanda (Boston) Ballmer of Swartz Creek, Michigan; and Nathan Sparks of Columbus, Ohio; step grandson Michael A. Behary of Medina, Ohio; and great-grandchildren Finnegan Woods of Akron, Ohio, Michael Joseph “M.J.” Behary of Medina, Ohio, and Ella Claire Temple, due in August 2022. He is also survived by his brother Ronald Sparks of Monroeville, Ohio, sister-in-law Elaine Sparks of Plain City, Ohio, brother-in-law John Vanderaar of Berea, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews. Additionally, Tom is survived by close friends Jerry Everhart, Norman Roeder, and Tara Henderson, as well as his Monroeville High School classmates. Besides his wife and parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother F. Edward Sparks, in-laws John and Elizabeth (Kovalsky) Vanderaar, sister-in law Patricia Sparks, sister-in-law Patricia Vanderaar, and great-nephew Jason Sparks.
Tom’s family would like to thank the staff of Stein Hospice, Dr. Akkina, as well as all of the nurses and technicians of Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Center at Fisher-Titus, with special thanks to Kelly, Connie, Kasey, Kara, J.D., Anna, and Jen.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Friday, May 27, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Monroeville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or to the Steve Ringholz or Steve Moore Scholarship Funds at Monroeville High School, 101 West St., Monroeville, OH 44847, in care of Ben Paul, Athletic Director.
Howard Thomas Sparks
05/20/2022
Howard Thomas “Tom” Sparks, 86, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at home after a period of declining health. He was born on April 22, 1936, in Norwalk, Ohio to Dr. Howard C. and Mary E. (Shondel) Sparks and was raised in Monroeville, Ohio. Tom graduated from Monroeville High School in 1954, where he played basketball and baseball. He attended Ohio University and served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958. He then built a career in banking, working at Citizens National Bank in Norwalk, Chippewa Valley Bank in Rittman, Ohio, and Key Bank in Milan, Ohio. Tom’s interests included reading, history (particularly Civil War), computers, and following THE Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball, and his beloved Monroeville Eagles.
Tom married Audrey (Vanderaar) Sparks on September 17, 1960, and she preceded him in death on October 13, 2021. Tom is survived by his children Denise (Michael L.) Behary of West Salem, Ohio and Michael Sparks of Bucyrus, Ohio; grandchildren Daniel (Gilicove) Woods of Akron, Ohio; Andrew Woods of Los Angeles, California; Matthew Woods of Medina, Ohio; Kristen (fiancé Christian Baughman) Woods of Seville, Ohio; Caitlyn Sparks of Bucyrus, Ohio; Amanda (Boston) Ballmer of Swartz Creek, Michigan; and Nathan Sparks of Columbus, Ohio; step grandson Michael A. Behary of Medina, Ohio; and great-grandchildren Finnegan Woods of Akron, Ohio, Michael Joseph “M.J.” Behary of Medina, Ohio, and Ella Claire Temple, due in August 2022. He is also survived by his brother Ronald Sparks of Monroeville, Ohio, sister-in-law Elaine Sparks of Plain City, Ohio, brother-in-law John Vanderaar of Berea, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews. Additionally, Tom is survived by close friends Jerry Everhart, Norman Roeder, and Tara Henderson, as well as his Monroeville High School classmates. Besides his wife and parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother F. Edward Sparks, in-laws John and Elizabeth (Kovalsky) Vanderaar, sister-in law Patricia Sparks, sister-in-law Patricia Vanderaar, and great-nephew Jason Sparks.
Tom’s family would like to thank the staff of Stein Hospice, Dr. Akkina, as well as all of the nurses and technicians of Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Center at Fisher-Titus, with special thanks to Kelly, Connie, Kasey, Kara, J.D., Anna, and Jen.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Friday, May 27, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Monroeville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or to the Steve Ringholz or Steve Moore Scholarship Funds at Monroeville High School, 101 West St., Monroeville, OH 44847, in care of Ben Paul, Athletic Director.