Milo D. Sparling (George), 87, of Marietta, Ohio, died unexpectedly July 26, 2012, after a very short illness at Camden Clark Medical Center.
Milo was born in Waterford, Ohio, on Nov. 18, 1924, to Ethel and Eugene Sparling. He was one of five sons. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; and brothers, Wyndham and Kenneth Sparling.
Milo served in the U.S. Army during World War II, landing on Omaha Beach as a replacement. He served in George Patton's tank division facing many battles in France, Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest. He spent nine brave months on the front lines of battle in a tank. On return from serving his country, his greatest life accomplishments were to be happily married to Dorothy, a long and rewarding job, and to have a positive outlook on life.
Milo is survived by his beloved, Jeanie (Crew) Dotson of Mineral Wells, W.Va.; his only child, Karen (Sparling) Wright and husband, Scott, of Athens, Ohio; two brothers, Eugene "Hille" Sparling of Bellaire, Ohio, and Donald Sparling and wife, Bess, of Waterford, Ohio; granddaughter, Sherri Vigil and husband, John, of Austin, Texas; grandson, James Sparling of Richmond, Va.; great-grandchildren, John and Josh Vigil; the Crew family, whom he cherished; and his dog, Sammy.
Milo loved God and in his last chapter was a faithful member of Big Tygart United Methodist Church. Milo lived in Marietta, Ohio, and was proud to be called a Buckeye.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, Pike Street, south Parkersburg. Interment will follow at Eastlawn Cemetery, Reno, Ohio, with full military rites by American Legion of Marietta. Visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
