ALBERT EDWARD SPARKS

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at Buresh Funeral Home located at 121 S. Washington St. in Hale, Mich., 989-728-2571. The funeral will be held immediately following at 1 p.m. Following the service we will meet at Eagle Point Plaza East Door 989-728-2811 at 415 East Main, Hale, Mich., for lunch and fellowship.

Albert (Swede) was born in Mesick, Mich., Oct. 9, 1919. Albert married Verena Aug. 2, 1941. Albert joined the Navy in 1941. He was assigned to a Liberty ship in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during WWII. After the war, Albert and Verena moved to Flint where General Motors employed him until his retirement in 1974.

Albert and Verena spent their retirement in Glennie, Mich. Albert was a charter member and officer of the Glennie Lions Club. Both served in the Curtis Township Citizens Watch for 17 years. He and Verena loved to fish, camp, hunt, snowmobile and ride their four-wheeler. Their travels took them to nearly every state, as well as Canada. He harvested nearly one deer a year, and maintained a large garden.

Albert was a near perfect husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, as everyone who knew him will attest. He was always first to volunteer. Albert is survived by his brother, Walter Sparks; and three sons, Gary (Jan), Keith (Sandy), and Roy (Vicki) Sparks; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Hillman Lions Club of Hillman, Mich. Online condolences may be offered at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com