Joseph C. "Joe" Sparks, 29, of Wapakoneta, died at 11:48 p.m. Nov. 25, 2009, at Lima Memorial Hospital following an automobile accident on Townline Road in Auglaize County.

He was born Oct. 31, 1980, in Kettering to Gary P. and Wanda J. Carpenter Sparks, who survive in New Bremen.

Other survivors are his fiancee, Cassie Cox, Wapakoneta; a son, Dustin Cox, Wapakoneta; a brother, Matthew Paul Sparks, New Bremen; and grandparents, Wilbur and Mabel Carpenter, Coldwater, Mich.

He was a welder at General Dynamics, Lima, and a member of the United Auto Workers.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bayliff and Son Funeral Home, Cridersville, the Rev. Jonathan Spyker officiating. Burial is at Fairmount Cemetery, near Uniopolis.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to a fund for his son's education.