Joseph Ray Sparks

He was born Wednesday, July 19, 1972, the son of Ray Sparks and Lana (Miller) Shick. He graduated from Yorktown High School in 1991. Joe married the love of his life, Beth, on September 3, 2005. Joe loved being in the water, whether he was in his pool, boating or floating in the ocean. He was an avid golfer, and loved being on the course with his dad. Joe was a hard worker. He opened Down the Drain Plumbing in 2009 before buying Z Plumberz in 2020, which he enjoyed operating with his family. Above all, he loved spending time with family and friends, especially his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife, Beth Sparks; children, Casey Ehmer (Austin) and Evan Bullard; grandchildren, Emory and Jensen; parents, Ray Sparks (Christine) and Lana Shick (Robert); father-in-law, Jerry Marquell (Janet); mother-in-law, Anne Crow; sisters, Heather Rodocker (Andrew) and Alissa Walker (Ben); brothers, Daniel Sparks (Amanda) and Derek Gambrel; sisters-in-law, Jenny Fox and Michele Rodriguez (Sam); brother-in-law, John Marquell (Karrin); grandfather, Noel Sparks (Rachel); ten nieces; five nephews; two great nieces; two great nephews; and several aunts, uncles, and friends.

He was preceded in death by son, Erik Sparks; brother-in-law, Willie Fox; father-in-law, Ned Crow; grandparents, Edna Sparks, Winifred and Harold Miller; and cousins, Lana Kirkwood and Kevin Kirkwood.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304.

Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 and from 12 p.m. until service time on Thursday at Elm Ridge Funeral Home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Paradigm Hospice. Also, Dr. Bryant, Dr. Al-Hader, and Jeff and Kristi at Simon Cancer Center.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.elmridgefuneralhome.com.