Ilene (Rose) Sparks, of Connersville, passed away on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, at Reid Health Hospice in Richmond, IN. She was born on April 20, 1936, in Jackson County, KY, and is the daughter of the late Willie E. Rose and Dema J. (Fox) Rose.
She married Ralph Sparks on July 4, 1954, in Jellico, TN. They moved to Connersville shortly after where they remained. They were able to share almost 43 years of marriage together before he passed on September 5, 1997. They were caretakers of Elmhurst, Warren Lodge #15 F&AM, for nearly 30 years.
Ilene was an avid painter winning blue ribbons at the Fayette Country Free Fair as well as being a Master Gardener. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Laurel, IN. For a number of years she had volunteered at Fayette Memorial Hospital. She loved taking motorcycle trips whenever possible with family. She was a humorous, independent woman who cared for and loved her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by two sons: Terry (Virginia Flaugh) Sparks; Tim (Jana Risselman) Sparks, both of Connersville; five grandchildren: Travis Sparks of Connersville; Shana (Harry) Williams of Milton, IN; Rebecca (Brad) Taylor of Middletown, OH; Terry (TJ) (Brittany Asher) Sparks of Hamilton, OH; and Graci Sparks of Connersville: nine great grandchildren; five sisters and one brother: Geraldine (Hisel) Carpenter of Richmond, IN; Barbara (Clifton) Sparks of Richmond, IN; Loni (Kenneth) Anglin, of McKee, KY; Cleo (William) Smith of Clover Bottom, KY; Cordell (Teresa) Rose of Tallequah, OK; Beverly (Ronnie) Combs of Sand Gap, KY.
Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Byron Rose.
Visitation for Ilene will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2018, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm, at Urban-Winkler Funeral Home, Connersville. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 27, 2018 at 11:00 am, at the funeral home with Pastor John Jordan officiating. Burial will be in Dale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette County Cancer Society.