Russell E. Sparks

Russell E. Sparks, 94, of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, beginning with a Masonic Service lead by Eureka Lodge #69, AF & AM.  Visitation is one hour prior to services.   Burial is in Coal Valley Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Russell Edward Sparks was born May 23, 1928, in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of Oden Ralph and Francis Marie (Peterson) Sparks.  He served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War.  He married the love of his life, Arlene Ruth Krouse on October 20, 1953, in Milan, Illinois.

He worked as a program analyst and project manager for the Rock Island Arsenal for 33 years, retiring on June 3, 1983.  He obtained his realtor license in 1960 and worked alongside his father, Oden in the real estate business.  After retiring from the Arsenal, Russ worked at Trimble Funeral Home and at various golf shops repairing golf equipment.

Russ belonged to Eureka Lodge #69, AF & AM, Milan, since 1949, and a 70-plus year member of both Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Moline, and Kaaba Shriners in Davenport.  He served on the Coal Valley Planning and Zoning Board, the finance committee of the Tara Country Club, and was past-president of the Tara County Golf Association. 

He enjoyed bowling, coin collecting, and golf.   He was very proud of his three holes-in-one, and that he lived a full life and reached most of his goals.

Russ is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Arlene; two children, Ronald (Monica) Sparks of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Vicki LaRosa of Middletown, New York; four grandchildren, Eric Sparks of Bettendorf, Toby LaRosa of Connecticut, Ariel (Christian) Dunnigan of New York, and Emma LaRosa of New York; a great-granddaughter, Kinsley Derubeis; and his sister, Juanita Oitker of Quincy, Illinois.  He was preceded in death by his son, Gary L. Sparks.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.