Obituaries
Pamela Jo "Pam" Sparks
August 06, 2026
Pamela Jo “Pam” Sparks, age 65, of Norwalk, OH went to be with her beloved Savior on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while in her home, following a prolonged battle with cancer. Pam will be deeply missed and forever remembered as a joyful servant of Jesus, a dedicated wife, loving mother, adoring grandmother, faithful and gracious friend, a wise and loving example to the young people in her life, a generous volunteer, and a talented yet humble woman.
Pam was born May 21, 1961, at Memorial Hospital in Sandusky, OH to Dale and Mayotta (Pat) Highlander. She was a 1979 graduate of Margaretta High School and completed the Office Specialist Program at Ehove Vocational School. She married M. Criss Sparks on July 30, 1983, at the Norwalk Alliance Church in Norwalk, OH, and they had three children, Laura Ann Sparks, Micheal Sparks, and Katie Arp.
Pam worked for the Sandusky Ohio Social Security Office from 1980-1988, followed by 29 years as the Farm Loan Manager at Farm Service Agency (1989-2018). Her final career move was to become the Senior Vice President Ag Lender at Sutton Bank where she served from 2018-2025. Pam deeply loved helping the farmers and businesses in her community and she poured her heart into her work to enable them to achieve their dreams.
Although Pam loved her work, her truest passion and deepest love was serving Jesus and loving her family. Her children were everything to her, and she was a beautiful example of dedicated, unconditional love to her family. Pam was a grandma to 4 grandchildren, and she described being a grandma as the highlight of her life. No one in Pam’s life, family or friends, doubted that they were loved, and she was someone who radiated the gentle, gracious love of Jesus in everything she said and did. This love was also evident through her service at her church, Calvary Baptist Church in Norwalk, OH, where she enjoyed helping with the AWANA and VBS children’s programs. Pam also loved 4-H and the Huron Country Fair, and she was a member of the Huron County Cattlemen’s Association.
Pam is survived by her husband, M. Criss Sparks of Norwalk; her children, Michael (Janeen) Sparks of Norwalk, and Katie (Josh) Arp of Norwalk; four grandchildren, Jace Sparks, Jaylyn Sparks, Eli Arp, and Noah Arp; sister Cindy (Steve) Wittenburg; brother, Chuck Highlander; her mother-in-law, Donna Sparks; and many nieces and nephews.
Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Mayotta (Pat) Highlander; daughter, Laura Ann Sparks; brother, Dennis Highlander; sister, Vicky Morris; sister-in-law, Emma Highlander; and her father-in-law, Robert Lee Sparks.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Calvary Baptist Church, 250 Benedict Avenue, Norwalk, Ohio. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. in the church with Pastor Andy Johnston officiating. Burial will follow at Hester Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church, Mission Fund, 250 Benedict Avenue, Norwalk, OH 44857.
Arrangements entrusted to the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk.
Pamela Jo "Pam" Sparks
August 06, 2026
Pamela Jo “Pam” Sparks, age 65, of Norwalk, OH went to be with her beloved Savior on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while in her home, following a prolonged battle with cancer. Pam will be deeply missed and forever remembered as a joyful servant of Jesus, a dedicated wife, loving mother, adoring grandmother, faithful and gracious friend, a wise and loving example to the young people in her life, a generous volunteer, and a talented yet humble woman.
Pam was born May 21, 1961, at Memorial Hospital in Sandusky, OH to Dale and Mayotta (Pat) Highlander. She was a 1979 graduate of Margaretta High School and completed the Office Specialist Program at Ehove Vocational School. She married M. Criss Sparks on July 30, 1983, at the Norwalk Alliance Church in Norwalk, OH, and they had three children, Laura Ann Sparks, Micheal Sparks, and Katie Arp.
Pam worked for the Sandusky Ohio Social Security Office from 1980-1988, followed by 29 years as the Farm Loan Manager at Farm Service Agency (1989-2018). Her final career move was to become the Senior Vice President Ag Lender at Sutton Bank where she served from 2018-2025. Pam deeply loved helping the farmers and businesses in her community and she poured her heart into her work to enable them to achieve their dreams.
Although Pam loved her work, her truest passion and deepest love was serving Jesus and loving her family. Her children were everything to her, and she was a beautiful example of dedicated, unconditional love to her family. Pam was a grandma to 4 grandchildren, and she described being a grandma as the highlight of her life. No one in Pam’s life, family or friends, doubted that they were loved, and she was someone who radiated the gentle, gracious love of Jesus in everything she said and did. This love was also evident through her service at her church, Calvary Baptist Church in Norwalk, OH, where she enjoyed helping with the AWANA and VBS children’s programs. Pam also loved 4-H and the Huron Country Fair, and she was a member of the Huron County Cattlemen’s Association.
Pam is survived by her husband, M. Criss Sparks of Norwalk; her children, Michael (Janeen) Sparks of Norwalk, and Katie (Josh) Arp of Norwalk; four grandchildren, Jace Sparks, Jaylyn Sparks, Eli Arp, and Noah Arp; sister Cindy (Steve) Wittenburg; brother, Chuck Highlander; her mother-in-law, Donna Sparks; and many nieces and nephews.
Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Mayotta (Pat) Highlander; daughter, Laura Ann Sparks; brother, Dennis Highlander; sister, Vicky Morris; sister-in-law, Emma Highlander; and her father-in-law, Robert Lee Sparks.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Calvary Baptist Church, 250 Benedict Avenue, Norwalk, Ohio. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. in the church with Pastor Andy Johnston officiating. Burial will follow at Hester Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church, Mission Fund, 250 Benedict Avenue, Norwalk, OH 44857.
Arrangements entrusted to the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk.