Patrick “Whitey” Sparks, of Pelican Lake, died Thursday, October 11, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 58 years old. He was born on September 7, 1960, in Rhinelander, a son of Luther and Valeria (Wojtecki) Sparks.

He was a graduate of Elcho High School with the class of 1979 and received an Associates degree in Forestry from Nicolet College in Rhinelander.

Whitey was employed at the Rhinelander Paper mill for over 20 years.

He was a member of the Pelican Lake volunteer fire department, and an EMT for Oneida County ambulance Medic 12 in Pelican Lake.

He was a lifelong member of St. John Catholic Church in Pelican Lake, was an avid Milwaukee Brewer fan and enjoyed the outdoors hunting and fishing.

Survivors include five sisters, Frances (Baker) Branson, Elcho, Susan (Wayne) King, Rhinelander, Althea (Roscoe) Adkins, Crandon, Maxine (Danny) Des Jarlais, Elcho, Angela (Jeffrey) Roberts, Summit Lake; two brothers, Wayne Sparks, Pelican Lake, Michael (Marianne) Sparks, Elcho; nieces and nephews: Dr. Amanda Sparks, Luke (Suzanne) Sparks, Samantha Herrmann and Jason, Benjamin Des Jarlais, Jake Allard, Wiley Allard, Steven (Amanda) Des Jarlais, Erin Des Jarlais, Matthew Roberts; several step-nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Edward and Mark in infancy.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 15, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Pelican Lake with Rev. Michael Tupa officiating.

Visitation will be 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Bradley Funeral Home, Antigo and 10 a.m. on Monday until the time of services at the church.

A parish wake service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.