34° and Fog
Nathan Paul Sparks, 62, of Ypsilanti passed away on September 28, 2024 after battling pancreatic cancer for four years. He was born January 23, 1962, in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of the late Wayne Edward Sparks and the late Myra Lee (Stuck) Sparks.
In 1980, Nathan graduated from Ontonagon Area High School, Ontonagon, MI and then earned two B. S. degrees in earth science and mathematics from Adrian College, Adrian, MI in 1984. Nathan worked at EFTEC in Taylor for 30 years as a Senior Lab Technician before retiring and working at Pentamere Winery in Tecumseh, MI, where he was a co-owner.
For nearly 60 years, Nathan attended Michigan State Holiness Camp Meeting Association in Eaton Rapids, MI, and was a counselor with the youth and the young adult programs for several years and served as a member of the Board. He was a member of the Belleville First United Methodist Church, and more recently attended Brighton Assembly of God Church while living with family. Nathan was an active member of the Washtenaw Community Concert Band, formerly the Ypsilanti Community Band, contributing his baritone and trombone skills in many concerts. He had a lifelong interest in geology (he loved rocks!), field trips, and minerals, and had been a member for many years of the Huron Hills Lapidary and Mineral Society. He also had been an active member of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan since becoming a closed head injury survivor himself in 1990.
In addition to his parents, Nathan was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Harvey Robert Wonnacott. He is survived by his brother, Peter (Sandra) Sparks of Pinckney, MI; sister, Bess Anne Wonnacott (Dan Conrad) of Kentwood, MI; and sister, Deborah (Cameron) Lauseng of Brimfield, IL. He had four nephews, Scott (Stephanie) Wonnacott, Kevin (Jennifer) Wonnacott, Benjamin (Tisha) Lauseng, and Philip (Katherine) Lauseng; one niece, Claire Lauseng; and seven great-grand nieces and nephews, Lilli, Jaxon, Harmony, Adriananna, Autumn, Amelia, and Oliver. He is also survived by his aunts, Barbara Vredeveld and Claudia Francis; and uncle Monte (Nelda) von Stuck.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Brighton Assembly of God, 7770 Whitmore Lake Rd, Brighton, MI 48116, with Dr. Bradley Trask officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (biami.org) or to the Washtenaw Community Concert Band (wccband.org/donation).
