Preston D. Sparks, DuPont retiree
Preston DeMaris Sparks, 81, of Millsboro, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born Nov. 7, 1933, in Pilesgrove, N.J., son of the late John and Bertha (Demaris) Sparks.
Mr. Sparks honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57. He worked for 33 years at DuPont Chambers Works in Deepwater, N.J., retiring in October, 1991. In 1996, Mr. Sparks retired to the Millsboro area where he enjoyed many hours fishing and spending time cross stitching. He was a great story teller and loved entertaining his family with his many fascinating stories.
Mr. Sparks was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, stepfather and a dear friend by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Sparks was preceded in death by Joseph Sparks, John Sparks, Ralph Sparks, George Sparks, Edgar Sparks, Carolyn Sklenar and stepgrandson, Steven Crabtree. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 21 years, Dorothy Halstead-Sparks (nee Campbell); one brother, Jimmy Sparks and one sister, Hilda Ernest; his son, Jeff Sparks and daughter, Cheryl Sparks both of Pennsville, N.J.; three stepchildren, Terri Meiers and her husband Roland of Albion, N.Y., Ken Halstead and his wife Sherry of Lower Alloways Creek, N.J., and Kim Cosaboom and her husband Jim of Alloway, N.J.; 11 grandchildren: Mike, Amy, Ryan, Morgan, Beth, Katy, Jessie, Zachary, James, Joshua and Noah; three great-grandchildren: Kayla, Alexis and Peighton.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 3, at Sharptown Methodist Church Cemetery, Kings Highway and Church Street, Sharptown, N.J. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Sparks' memory to Salem County Humane Society, 214 North Game Creek Road, Penns Grove, NJ 08069, or Calvery Baptist Church, 30 Georgetown, Road, Carneys Point, NJ 08069.
Please visit Mr. Sparks' Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
