JOHN SPARLING

John Nicholas Sparling, 84, of Fortville, IN, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at home surrounded by loved ones. There will be a visitation on Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 10 AM – 12 PM at Seals Funeral Home in Fortville, IN. The family will receive friends in Donalsonville, GA at Evans-Skipper Funeral Home on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 2:00-4:00 PM followed by a graveside service at Friendship Cemetery. Dr. Ron King will be officiating. Mr. Sparling was born October 17, 1929 in LaBelle, MO to the late Gerald and Grace Miller Sparling, losing his twin brother at birth. He graduated from high school in Leesburg, GA before attending Georgia Military Academy and Emory University in Atlanta. After serving two years in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Albany, GA to work on the family farm and later run Albany Auto Electric Service, which he eventually owned. There he met teacher Geneva Johnson, whom he married on January 16, 1957. They moved to Santa Maria Island, Azores to complete the building of a jet runway. Upon returning to the states, they lived in Indianapolis near his mother and sisters for five years. Next they moved to Fortville and John went back to Albany, GA to assist his Dad and brother with the family business. In 2006, he returned to Indiana and his family to stay. John loved to garden and talk on the phone for hours. He was an excellent business negotiator and loved his home state of Georgia as well as democratic politics. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. John is survived by his wife Geneva Sparling of Fortville, IN; his daughters, Grace Geneva Catellier and husband Michael of Indianapois, IN and Nicole Charlene Sparling of Fortville, IN; three granddaughters; and brother, David Sparling of Albany, GA. He was preceded in passing by his brothers, Ted Sparling, and twin brothers Brainard and Clifton Miller; and twin sisters Marilyn Miller and Marguerite Mannix. Memorial contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Animal Protection League PO Box 2242 Anderson, IN 46018.