Dorothy Maureen Sparks

Dorothy Maureen Sparks, 91

Dorothy Maureen Sparks went to be with our Heavenly Father on March 1, 2023. She was greeted with loving arms by her husband, daughters, parents and the siblings that preceded her in death.

She went by “Dorothy” or “Maureen” depending on how you knew her. She was born on January 24, 1932 in Putnam County, Tennessee to Julius and Climmie (Kelly) Lowe. She moved to Peru, Indiana in 1945, where she met a young man from Kentucky named Cannus “Peanut” Sparks. Legend has it she refused to give him the time of day until he got right with the Lord. He agreed, and they were married on May 3, 1947 in Rochester, Indiana.

Her ultimatum sparked his 50+ year career as a pastor at the Independent Missionary Baptist Church in Peru, where Maureen often helped lead the church in song and taught Sunday School. Together they were entrepreneurs who owned and operated several businesses, including a gas station, salvage yard and eventually a pet store. In addition to helping with day-to-day operations at Sparks Pet Supply, Maureen worked there as one of Peru’s top dog groomers well into her 70s. She was also a Miami County Election Judge and a Notary Public for many years.

Prior to that, she helped provide for her family by working at General Tire in Wabash; she retired from there but stayed active with the church and the family businesses. She always made time for her family; loved to read; and enjoyed visiting her sisters in Florida. She adored her children and used to tell her grandchildren that she loved them “more than sugar” (and that was really saying something, because her sweet tooth was unparalleled).

Her entrepreneurial and family-centric spirit led to her employing many of her grandkids over the years, where she helped instill a strong work ethic (and provided many, many free breakfast sandwiches). They all miss her terribly.

She is survived by her son, Cannus “Bud” (Lesley) Sparks, sister Hilda Bloy and brother Jim (Dorothy) Herron; grandchildren Angela Winters, Jeremy Winters, Jason Bowman, Ryan Bowman, Tiffany Winters, Jacob Bowman and David Sparks; sister-in-law Elada Herron; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents as well as a stepfather, Harvey “Cub” Herron, who served as a grandfather to her kids and grandkids; brothers Jerry Herron and Karl Lowe; sisters Lois Hancock and Frances Shipman; daughters, Diana Elaine Winters and Deborah Ellen Bowman, as well as their husbands, Gene and Samuel.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana from 12pm to 2pm with the funeral following immediately afterwards. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Please consider a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association in support of research to end this awful disease. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers~Leedy Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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