Elmer Eugene “Gene” Sparrow, age 88, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at 3:27 PM on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth. Gene was born February 6, 1935 in Media, Illinois, the son of Ed and Hattie (McPeak) Sparrow. He attended schools in Swan Creek and Roseville, graduating from Roseville High School. Gene proudly served his Country in the United States Air Force from 1953-1957. In 1953, he married Nancy Springer and they later divorced. In 2009, Gene married Karen Peterson and she is surviving.
Upon his return from the service, Gene became a TV and Radio serviceman for Delbert Koke in Monmouth, Illinois. In 1972, Gene became a full partner with Delbert and expanded to appliance sales, becoming Koke and Sparrow TV. In 1982, Delbert retired and Gene became sole owner. He did service work and repairs in the area for many years after that. Gene enjoyed coin collecting, antique hunting, feeding the birds, gardening, and fishing. Mostly, he loved to spend time with his family.
Gene is survived by his wife Karen Sparrow of Monmouth, IL, Nancy and Gene’s children Kim Sparrow of Monmouth, IL, Kaye Thompson of Macomb, IL, and Lori Frakes of Macomb, IL. He is also survived by his step-children, Mary Dawn (Randy) Becker of Waterloo, IA, Lisa Leonard of Fairfield, IA, and Paul (Stacy) Peterson of Burlington, IA. He is survived by two siblings, Clydene and Lawrence. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Martha, one brother, Jim, and his favorite dogs, Oreo and Bailey.
A funeral service for Gene Sparrow will be at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Military honors are planned at the conclusion of the service. Cremation will be accorded and burial at Warren County Memorial Park will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for his family. For more information, or to leave a remembrance of Gene, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
