Surnames: Baran, Jaski, Lis, Sromek, Stefan, Szpara, Witalis

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, April 21, 2011, online edition

Szpara, John "Sparky" F. (June 17, 1932 - April 17, 2011)

John "Sparky" F. Szpara, age 78 years, of Lublin, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at home.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thorp Funeral Home, and on Monday one hour prior to services at the church. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Lublin American Legion Post, with burial in the Catholic Cemetery.

John Francis Szpara was born on June 17, 1932 in Thorp, the son of John and Catherine (Baran) Szpara. He was raised and received his education in Thorp.

John served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1953. On November 20, 1954 John married Doris Witalis in Lublin. John was self-employed as a cattle dealer for many years. John and Doris owned and operated a pet food plant in Lublin. In his early years, John enjoyed racing stock cars, shooting pool and playing darts.

John's hobbies included stamp collecting, planting his gardens of pumpkins, sunflowers, potatoes and picking blueberries. John loved his grandchildren and was very proud of them. He was always thinking of something special to surprise them with. Every morning John and Doris woke up to the music he loved, polkas.

John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris; three children, Marilyn (George) Sromek of Verona, Daniel (Tami) of Withee, Reneé (David) Lis of Thorp; and daughter-in-law, Erin Szpara of Fall Creek.

Grampy and Grandaddy will be missed by his grandchildren, Jordan, Alex and Catherine Sromek, Russell (Karen) and Blake Lis, Cole and Devin Szpara and Sabra Szpara. To honor their grandfather, the grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

John is survived by two sisters, Mary Stefan of River Grove, Ill., and Claire (Lee) Jaski of Chicago, Ill. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his son, John Craig, in 2009; daughter, Angel, in infancy; his parents; three brothers; and two sisters.

Online condolences may be directed to www.cuddiefh.com.