Patricia J. Sparks' Obituary
Patricia J. Sparks, 80, of Clinton, passed away, Tuesday, February 4, 2025 in her home surrounded by her family.
Graveside Services will be 1:00pm, Saturday, February 15, 2025 at St. Mary’s Cemetery – Clinton. A celebration of life will follow at Eagle Point Lodge from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. The Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family.
Patricia Jean Mahoney was born on November 18, 1944 in Clinton the daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Dixon) Mahoney. She was a graduate of Clinton High School. She married Gene Sparks on 7/28/1969 but later divorced. They had two sons Dale and Dean. She also had two step sons Keith and Kennie that she loved as her own.
Pat was employed at International Paper and Rock Tenn during her career. She also was a caregiver for many people with in her community.
Pat enjoyed spending time at the YMCA , playing cribbage, watching football especially with her sons, and listening to the police scanner while her son Kennie was on duty. If you knew Pat, you knew she had never met a stranger. She was the life of the party. She was the rock for her family. She had a knack for picking a person up during hard times. Pat enjoyed her scheduled phone calls with her sons, grandkids, nieces, and nephews. These phone calls will be greatly missed. Her sons were able to spend some beautiful moments reminiscing on the many memories they had created with their mom in her final days. In true Pat fashion - she declared she had never been arrested in her 80 years of life. She later expressed how much she felt loved by her family and friends. The world lost a selfless lady and the void will be felt deeply.
Pat is survived by her sons: Keith (Kim) Sparks of Clinton, Kennie Sparks of Maquoketa, Dale (Stephanie) Sparks of Washington, Iowa, and Dean (Lea Ann) Sparks of Bettendorf; three grandchildren: Nathan, Molly, and Kennady, and her brother: David Mahoney of Benton, Arkansas, and countless nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings: Bill, Mary Kay, Jim, George, Bob, Betty, and Denny.
Memorials can be made to her family and will be given to charities/organizations in the Clinton Community.
What’s your fondest memory of Patricia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Patricia?
Share a story where Patricia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Patricia you’ll never forget.
How did Patricia make you smile?

