Wendell R. Sparks, age 76, of Linton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Greene County General Hospital in Linton. He was born in Linton, Indiana on September 19, 1943, the son of Harley & Delphia (Kirk) Sparks.

Wendell was a graduate of Little Cincinnati High School. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He began working for the Linton Fire Department in February 1972 under his father-in-law, Jack Allen, and retired as Fire Chief in 2003. He was a lifetime member and past commander of the American Legion, and was honored with the American Legion Martin A. Werner Firefighter of the Year award in 2000. He was a former member of Masonic Lodge, Zorah Shrine, and Greene County Shrine Club.

He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and anything he could do to help someone out.

He is survived by his wife whom he married April 27, 1968, Jennie Lou (Allen) Sparks, a daughter, Karen (Toren) Rash of Bloomfield, two sons, Brad (Tami) Sparks and Bryan (Alyson) Sparks of Switz City, seven grandchildren, Nathan Rash, Hannah (Anthony) Price, Olivia (Brice) Borders, Owen Sparks, Claire Hockman, Aidan Sparks, and Deklan Sparks, and two great-grandchildren, Hadley Price and Adalee Borders, and two sisters, Alice (Ted) Burcham and Jan (Bob) Winkler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Betty Emery, Raymond "Junior" Sparks, Phyllis Cobb.

Funeral service will be held at Linton First Christian Church at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, with Jerry Carmichael officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Linton.

Visitation will be held at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home in Linton on Tuesday from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M., and Wednesday at the church from 10 A.M. until the time of service.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.welchcornett.com.