John Sparkman

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- John L. "J.L." Sparkman, 81, of Chaffee died Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 25, 1928, at Delta, son of William and Mildred Della Speer Sparkman. He and Marilyn Alvey were married March 6, 1948.

He was a production inspector many years at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corp. in St. Louis. He later retired as a sergeant with the state of Illinois Department of Corrections in Chester and Centralia.

Sparkman was a member of the General Baptist Church, RSVP for Meals on Wheels and Elks Lodge 1810, all in Chaffee.

He served in the medical unit with the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Sparkman; a son, J.D. (Gale) Sparkman of Tecumseh, Kan.; a daughter, Judy (Don) Sherman of Collinsville, Ill.; two sisters, Virginia Loucks of Chaffee, Nelda (Ivis) Kinder of Delta; a grandchild, Michelle (David) Dixon of Michigan; and two great-grandchildren, Daytona and Tate Dixon of Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Visitation will be after 5 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the chapel, with the Rev. Bob Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Union Park Cemetery at Chaffee.