Cannus "Peanut" Sparks

Pastor Cannus "Peanut" Sparks went to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday, October 25 at 12:09 p.m. He was greeted with loving arms by his earthly mother, whom he had not seen since he was six months old. Cannus was born September 12, 1928 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Bert and Mary (Stamper) Sparks; grew up in Carcassonne, Kentucky; and married Dorothy Maureen Lowe on May 3, 1947, in Rochester, Indiana. Cannus worked at the Peru Foundry when he first came to Peru at the age of 15. Later, over sixty years ago, he opened his first service station in Peru. He owned two more stations before he changed the business to Sparks & Son Auto Salvage and Wrecker Service. He stayed active in the business until the age of 82. He attended Ashland Seminary School in Lexington, Kentucky, before becoming pastor of the Independent Missionary Baptist Church in Peru for over 50 years. For 27 years, he dedicated his free time to visiting residents at Miller's Merry Manor, where he preached, played the guitar, and sang. Cannus loved to play the guitar, ride horses, and wear his cowboy hat and boots. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Maureen; their children, Diana (Gene) Winters, Deborah (Sam) Bowman and "Bud" Cannus (Lesley) Sparks; his younger brother Marcus (Vid) Sparks; seven grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren, who were all the light of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Otha "Doc" and Elmer Sparks) and one sister (Rosie Jent). Cannus and his siblings were orphaned while very young, and were sent to live with different families. However, the children had so much love and devotion for each other that as the older children grew, they would go get their younger siblings in order to take care of and protect them. This devotion to family continued throughout his life. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 4-7 p.m. at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. The funeral will be Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at the Independent Missionary Baptist Church, 331 Jackson Ave. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.

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