David Leah Sparks, age 74, of Appleton, passed away unexpectedly at St. Elizabeth Hospital following a short illness.  David was born in Baltimore, MD on January 21, 1949 to the late Wilton and Marie (Randall) Sparks.  Following high school, at the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Marines Corp. during the Vietnam War, eventually making the rank of Staff Sergeant E6.  David was a very, very proud Marine and honored to have had the opportunity to serve his country.

On May 20, 2021, he was united in marriage to JoAnn Happle, whom he met online - they dated 8 years and then married.  He loved to play video games with his grandson David and work meticulously on model cars.

He will be missed by his wife, JoAnn, of Appleton; three daughters:  Smantha Young, Greenville, SC, Amanda Nichols, Fountainin, SC, and Cassandra Murray, Jackson, OH; grandson, David Brewer, Appleton; 7 additional grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; stepchildren: Jason (Rachel) Greenwood and their children Colton and Cameron, Cazenovia, WI and Brian (Katie) Rettschlag and their children Morgan and Brock, Beaver Dam, WI; sister, Paula Miciche Belles; 5 sisters-in-law:  Barbara Schnulle, WI, Roberta Moore, TN, Rose (Doug) Siede, MN, Terry Happle, WI, and Cheryl Miller, WI; and brother-in-law, Robert (Jan) Happle, AZ.

His faithful little companion "Miss Abby" (dog) will miss him dearly, she was by his side almost 24/7.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Paul, 2 brothers-in-law Billy and Jimmy, and sister-in-law Patty.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, December 31st, at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel, followed by full Military Honors.  Friends may visit at the funeral chapel on Sunday from 12 noon until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.