Francis Eugene Sparr

Frances Eugene Sparr Jr.,82 of Bristol, Indiana died December 31, 2009 @ 10:55 P.M. at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. He was born on February 27, 1927 in Elkhart to Francis Eugene Sr. and Marguerite Sparr.

Mr. Sparr is survived by his wife Anna of Bristol, one daughter, Nancy (Don) Whetstone of Elkhart; a stepdaughter, Sandy Klyn of Tucson, Arizona; a foster daughter, Connie Winkler of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a brother, Glen and sister, Dorothy.

Mr. Sparr graduated from Concord High School, served in World War II earning the Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon. He worked at Monteith Brothers in Elkhart and retired from General Telephone company after 35 years of service. He attended Faith United Methodist Church and was a member of the Elkhart County Campers Club. He loved cars, animals, country western music, calliopes and carousels and their music. Francis had many friends and loved to laugh. Their cat “Pretty Girl” gave him many hours of laughter. Francis in his own words would say to future generations, “keep a smile on your face-rain or shine.”

A visitation of friends and family to celebrate Francis’s life will be held from 1-4 P.M. Saturday at Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Boulevard, Elkhart. No formal services have been planned. Cremation has taken place with burial at a later date. An online guestbook may be accessed at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com