Bonnie Rose Sparks

Bonnie Rose (Weppler) Sparks, 93 formerly of Grand Ridge passed away on Friday, (November 7, 2025), at Pleasant View: Lutheran Life Communities in Ottawa.

Her funeral service will be at 11:30 am on Monday, (Nov. 17th), at Grand Ridge Funeral Home at 125 Sylvan Ave., Grand Ridge, Illinois, with) visitation 60 minutes prior to the services at the funeral home from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Burial will be in Grand Ridge Cemetery.

Bonnie was born in Rutland, Illinois on January 17 th,1932 the youngest daughter to Oscar L. and 3Hazel M. (Marshall) Weppler. She married William Donald Sparks from Streator, Illinois at Rutland Christian Church on December 1st, 1957. William (Bill) preceded her in death on December 4th, 2021, they were married 64 years.

Surviving are her children; a son, Retired Colonel (USAF) Gregg (Lori) Sparks of Spring Valley, Ohio; two daughters, Nancy (Chuck) Kuntzi of North Aurora, Illinois and Sharon (Kirby) of Ehrreich of Shoreview, Minnesota; four grandsons, Collin (Bethany) Sparks, Kasey (Nikki) Ehrriech, Ryan (Kallie) Kuntzi and Brandon Kuntzi; two granddaughters, Emily (Kyloe) Flesner and Molly (Kyle) Retzloff; step-grandchildren Molly, Haley and Caden; and twelve great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers (Ken, Dale and Bill Weppler) and two sisters (Mary (Weppler) Benko and Dorthy (Weppler) Cusac) and one granddaughter (Kayla Sparks) in infancy.

Bonnie graduated from Rutland and Toluca High School in 1950, and Proctor Hospital Nursing School in 1953. She was a Register Nurse and started her career at St Mary’s Hospital in Streator, Illinois then continued her nursing within the operating room at Ottawa Community Hospital until 1987. Bonnie enjoyed reading, quilting and time with her family, kids, grandkids, especially the great grandchildren. Bonnie through her life was devoted member of Rutland Christian Church, Streator Central Church of Christ and Ottawa Southside Christian Church. She grew up on a farm in Rutland, moved to Streator when married and quickly relocated to Grand Ridge to raise the kids, then resided in an apartment outside of Streator, until moving to Pleasant View: Lutheran Life Community on the southside of Ottawa in June 2022, where she remained until her death.

Memorials may be directed to the Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, 5 East Main St, Grand Ridge, Illinois 61325.