Donna Lee (Orndorff) SPARKS

SPARKS, ORNDORFF, BEVERAGE, HINMAN, WALROD, FOSTER, STUBBE, DAVIS, COOPER, MILES, WOOLLIS, HOLT, MILTENBERGER, NORRIS, RANDOL, HORTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/29/2006 at 19:04:33

Donna Sparks, 79, most recently of Belmond and formerly of Chariton, died February 6, 2006 at the Belmond Health Care Center. Services were held February 9 at Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond and February 11 at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton. The Reverend Lynne Spencer-Smith officiated at both services. Burial was in the Chariton Cemetery.

Donna Lee, the daughter of Oral and Gussie (Beverage) Orndorff, was born January 3, 1927 at Princeton, MO. She graduated from Princeton High School where she excelled in track. Donna married Donal Sparks on November 26, 1945 at Princeton. They farmed at Chariton and raised turkeys, chickens and other livestock in addition to milking cattle. Donna always had a large garden. Her children and grandchildren always looked forward to her specialties such as homemade beef and noodles with mashed potatoes, fried chicken, bread pudding, and her delicious pies. Family gatherings and hosting her grandchildren for stays on the farm were special occasions for her. Donna and Donal enjoyed simple things such as Sunday afternoon excursions around the countryside. Donna liked to play board games and was especially fond of Yahtzee and cards. She loved Hershey bars and ice cream. In addition to being a partner on the farm, Donna, spent many years working outside the home, much of the time in the health care profession. Her longest employment was at the Lucas County Home where she shared her love and compassion assisting residents who had various impairments and disabilities. She also worked at various care centers, doctors offices, at the Chariton Hospital, and at Spurgeon's Department Store. Donna and Donal moved to the Belmond Health Care Center in October 2004. She was a member of the Belmond Congregational United Church of Christ. Though she was not involved in community organizations or needed to be in in the spotlight, she was honored as "Mother of the Year" in Chariton several years ago.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Vivian, Alma Carol and Norma; and brothers Gene and Buddy. Survivors include her husband; daughter Sharion (Stephen) Hinman of Belmond; son Jerry (Janet) Sparks of Osceola; daughters Linda (Steve) Walrod of Belmond and Rita (Craig) Stubbe of Chariton; sister Shirley Foster of Princeton; brother Bill (Donna) Orndorff of Gilman City, MO; sisters Roma (Bill) Davis of Princeton and Carolyn (Bob) Cooper of Sun City, AZ; brother Phillip (Kathy) Orndorff of Castle Rock, CO; sister Madalyn (Jerry) Miles of Ridgeway, MO; sisters-in-law Florence (Dave) Woollis of Cambria, IA, Fern Sparks of Princeton, and Bonnie (Wood) Holt of Princeton; brother-in-law Raphael (Ann) Sparks of Yuma, AZ; grandson Neal (Jessica) Hinman and granddaughter Michele (Jason) Miltenberger all of Belmond; granddaughter Tiffiny (Glenn) Norris of Johnston; granddaughter Amy (Andrew) Randol of Panora; grandson Jason Walrod and fiancé Jennifer, and granddaughter Emily Walrod all of Belmond; granddaughter Amy (Roger) Horton of Humeston; grandson Damon Stubbe of Chariton; and great grandchildren Elizabeth, Connor, Amanda, Lennie, J.D., Jeramy, Jamy, JaKob, Kale, Nicholas, Deseree and Dalton.

14 February 2006
©Belmond Independent 2006