02/13/2024

Obituary for Eric J. Sparks

Funeral Director and Embalmer at Snyder Funeral Homes

Eric J. Sparks, 54, of Galion, won his battle with pancreatic cancer Tuesday, February 13, 2024 and will spend eternity with his savior Jesus Christ.

Born November 13, 1969 in Toledo, he was the son of Fred and Pat (Ketchum) Sparks. He married Jayme (Starkey) Sparks in Defiance, Ohio on May 4, 2013 and she survives.  

He was a graduate of Colonel Crawford High School in 1988 and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1992. Eric was a funeral director and embalmer for 31 years with the last ten with the Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion. He was a member of Ohio Funeral Directors, National Funeral Directors Association and the Ohio Embalmers Association.

Eric was a member of Grace Point in Galion and a member and past president of the Galion Kiwanis Club and a board member of the Galion YMCA where he enjoyed working out. He enjoyed traveling, boating at Lake Erie, white water rafting in West Virginia, scuba diving in the Caribbean and was passionate about helping others and making the world a better place.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by twin brother Ryan (Caren) Sparks of Upper Arlington; brothers-in-law, Larry (Laura) Starkey, Marty (Kari) Peacemaker and Kenney Peacemaker; sisters-in-law, Judy Peacemaker, Cathy (Steve) O’Den and Tracy (Lane) Wiley; numerous nieces and nephews, including  Brock (Kaitlyn) Sparks and Bryant (Mason) Sparks and mother-in-law Cathy Peacemaker.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by father-in-law Pete Peacemaker.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 16, 2024 at Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 South Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 17 at Grace Point, 683 Portland Way North, Galion, Ohio 44833 with Pastor Paul Walter and Pastor Joe Stafford officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Grace Point Building Fund in care of the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Avita Hospice for their loving care of Eric.

Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Eric Sparks, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.