In addition to the two children I have listed, there may have been another infant death (a son) some years before Jeremy's birth, but I don't recall specifics. I also recall that Sue had struggled for many years with lupus, and I'd been told that the cause of her death was related to that affliction.
[Obituary for Susan K. Sparks, from the Bluffton News-Banner, 5 Jan 1999; posted online to the boards.ancestry.com website.]
Susan K. Sparks, 43, of 520 E. Morse St. in Markle, died at 7:33 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. A 1974 graduate of Norwell High School, Mrs. Sparks was employed as a C.N.A. at Markle Health Care. Born Aug. 1, 1955, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Ora L. and Marcella Cayot Shaw of Ossian. Her marriage was on Jan. 17, 1975, in Fort Wayne to Danny Jay Sparks, who survives in addition to the parents. Additional survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Michael (Tiffany Sue) Grant of Zanesville; three brothers, Jack Kelley Shaw of Huntington, Shane W. Shaw of Bluffton, Shad M. Shaw of Ossian, and four sisters, Mrs. Mark (Vickie) Boutell and Mrs. Dave (Sandy) Mann, both of Bluffton, Peggy Thomas of Zanesville and Mrs. Terry (Robin) Marshall of Huntsville, Ala. She was preceded in death by a son, Jeremy Kay Sparks; a brother, Russell Shaw, and a sister, Tammy White. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Myers Funeral Home in Markle with Rev. John Huddlestone officiating. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ossian. Preferred memorials to Riley Children's Hospital, 702 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202.
