Daniel L. Sparks
August 6, 1963 ~ May 31, 2020
Daniel L. Sparks, 56, of Taylorville, passed away at 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Dan was born August 6, 1963 in Springfield, the son of Daniel E. and E. Geraldine “Geri” (Gilmartin) Sparks. He married Gloria K. Cole on November 5, 1988 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville.
Dan graduated from Taylorville High School in 1981, and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He worked in finance his entire career for Wells Fargo, Town & Country Bank, and he was currently employed by the Illinois Department of Insurance as a financial analyst. Dan was a family man, stoic and steady, but with a great sense of humor. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Blues fan, 80’s Hair Band fan, and he enjoyed traveling and gaming. Dan was a current member of AFSCME.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and father-in-law, John L. “Jack” Cole.
Dan is survived by his wife, Gloria K. Sparks of Taylorville; son, Daniel J. (wife, Grace) Sparks of Collinsville; daughter, Victoria K. Sparks of Taylorville; sisters, Sharon (husband, Leonard) Bernstein and Linda Sparks, both of Aurora, CO; mother-in-law, Kay Cole of Taylorville; sister-in-law, Lori Younker of Taylorville; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his faithful companion, Jake.
A celebration of life, and inurnment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, Springfield, IL 62702, or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.
The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin St., Taylorville, IL 62568 with arrangements.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences to the family.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Our deepest sympathies go out to Gloria and the family.
I’ve known my cousin Dan for nearly all my life. We played together at our Grandparents home in Edinburg together. He was one of the most kindhearted guys I’ve ever known. Fortunately we were also friends later in life after his wife Gloria as he joined our very small family reunion gatherings in Beecher City, IL. My wife,Kim & I shared stories of our children with them and even went to a “Roaring 20’s” interactive party/play at the Decatur Club in Decatur Illinois in July 2019.
He was the very best & we lost him far too soon. It has been wonderful to hear the loving stories recently by his children about their love of their father on a cross county road trip and a shark cage adventure and many more.
Farewell my beloved cousin & friend. I pledge to be of the best help & support to Gloria, Dan & Tori.
Jim, Kim, Skylar & Alex Sparks
I remember Danny from high school and junior high always very upbeat and happy sorry to hear this with God and rest my old friend
I met Dan through work and we became good friends. He was a mild mannered guy but had a great sense of humor and was a loyal friend. I will miss giving him a hard time about being a Cowboys fan. I am very lucky to have called him a friend. Our prayers go out to Gloria and the rest of the family in this difficult time. Rest In Peace my friend.
Condolences.
So saddened to hear this news. Dan was a really nice guy. We worked at Town & Country and again at Wells Fargo. His only flaw was his love of the Cowboys! We would have our heated game predictions & discussions when my Eagles were the opponents. Keeping you all in my prayers
I am saddened to receive this news. I knew Dan professionally and found him to be a skilled and conscientious insurance regulator. His untimely passing is a great loss for not only his family but also the insurance industry.
Gloria, sincerest condolences in the loss of your beloved from your taylorville food pantry friends.
Gloria and family, soo sorry about Dan😥
Deepest sympathies and condolences to Sparks family.
Gloria, please accept my deepest condolences. You and your family are in my thoughts.
In Friendship, Mary Rhodes