Joseph N. Sparling

Joseph Nelson Sparling, 80yrs, of Bethlehem PA, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Holy Family Manor Nursing Home in Bethlehem: He was born November 9, 1928, in Fountain Hill. He was a son of the late Joseph M. Sparling and Frances McGill Sparling. Joseph was the Husband of Karin Bengs Sparling. They were married 47 years last August.

He was a graduate of Lehighton High School and Millersville State College University where he was an Industrial Arts major. Joseph taught wood and metal shop architectural drawing, and driver's education in schools in Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Later he worked in industry drafting and doing technical writing at Sanders and Thomas in Pottstown, and for various industries including Boeing, Asplundh, Air Products and Bell and Howell.

Joseph was a lifelong member of Shoemaker-Hayett American Legion Post #314 in Lehighton and of their Korean War Last Man Club. He was a member of Saints Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church since 1969.

Joseph was well-read and had various interests including Railroading as his grandfather, Andrew McGill, had been a Superintendent on the Lehigh Valley Railroad with offices in Fountain Hill. He held various patents in this industry. Joseph's father also worked in management for the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Lehighton until his death in 1962.

Joseph was not only a teacher but an artist in drawings, hand crafted art metal bowls, wrought iron furniture, wood working, and leather tooling. He had a life long love of cars, especially antique and classic and enjoyed working on and doing restoration of them; his favorite being the Cadillac La Salle. At one time he owned several La Salles and a 1957 Cadillac.

Survivors: Joseph is survived by his wife, Karin, brother John Sparling and his wife Suzanne of Louisville Kentucky, Sister Kathleen Kay Colley and husband Joseph of Westminster Maryland; Children: Jennifer C. Kressler and husband Scott, Thomas Nelson and wife Diane, Michael A. and wife Jennifer, Paul A. and wife Tracy; and Kristina E. Bruch. Grandchildren: Alicia, Renee, Thomas, Katherine Rose, and Sarah Sparling; also 5 nieces, 2 nephews, 6 grandnieces, and 3 grandnephews.

Services: Visitation Tuesday March 10, 2009 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and also 8:30am to 9:30am Wednesday at Connell Funeral Home Inc., 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am Wednesday March 11, 2009 at Ss Simon and Jude Church Broad Street in Bethlehem followed by graveside services and interment in Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Lehighton, PA.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Holy Family Manor, 1200 Spring Street, Bethlehem and also Ss. Simon and Jude Church Roman Catholic Church Bethlehem; or Cancer Research.