John Sparber

John R. Sparber, age 88, of Girard, finished his journey on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Millcreek Community Hospital following a brief illness. He was born July 15, 1924, in Pittsburgh and moved to Pennline, PA in 1932. He was a son of the late Charles Fred Sparber and Della Walrath Sparber Longdue. John served in the US Army from January 1944 until April 1946 as an infantry man. He was wounded twice and was awarded two Purple Hearts and The French Jubilee of Liberty Award. After his war service John worked for GE and was a fireman on the Nickel Plate Railroad. In 1941 he went into trucking as an owner/operator and retired in 1983. John was a member of Lake Erie Lodge No. 347, Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Erie and was awarded his 50 year pin in 2004. He was a member of the Girard United Methodist Church and served on the Girard Zoning Board. John enjoyed hunting, traveling and country music.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Michael Pennock, his siblings: Charles Sparber, Martha Hanson, Alfred Sparber, Fredrick Sparber, and George Sparber.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Wilma Grettler Sparber; their children: Dale Paul Sparber (Sandy), James Russell Sparber (Lynne), Brenda Jean English, and Carol Sue Hornaman (William); his sisters: Alice Metaxa, Jean Russell, Ruth Meleski and Lola York; a brother: Henry Sparber; four grandchildren: John "Jack" Sparber, Ashley English, Sarah Kibbe, Aaron English; five great grandchildren: Dylan Holliday, Kyleigh and Reid English, Ellason and Annaston Kibbe; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East in Girard on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. in Burton's All Faiths Chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at Girard Cemetery. Flowers and condolences may be sent at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.