Frances Rose "Fran" Sparks

Frances Rose “Fran” Sparks, age 99, of Toledo, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, July 30, 2023 with her two daughters and nurse Rachel at her bedside. She was born on October 25, 1923 in Toledo, OH to John and Hattie (Zawierucha) Zera. Frances began her working career at Boss Glove Factory. She and her husband Leo, along with Leo’s brothers and their wives, started the Original Gino’s Pizza on Monroe St. in 1955. They remained owners and operators until 1988, and the Midwood Bar from 1966-1970. Frances was a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church. Her memberships included the American Legion Przybylski Post 642 and Argonne Post 545 Auxiliaries, VFW Buddy Frankowski Post 5530 and CWV Logsdon Walla Post 639 Auxiliaries, Club 16, the 14th Ward, and the Circle 8 Alliance of Poles. Frances loved playing poker, and cooking for the grandkids on Saturdays. A very special memory was traveling to Poland on a Northern European cruise with Leo and Sister Hedwig.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 78 years, Leo H. Sparks on June 6, 2021; grandchildren, Chad Geitgey, Chancelor Shipman, and Mark Dodd; granddaughter, Michelle Dodd; sisters, Mary Dauer, Josephine Muszynski, and Sister Mary Hedwig CSSF; and brothers, Stanley and Chester Zera. She is survived by her daughters, Geraldine Oberheu and Nancy Geitgey; 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 3 from 3-7 p.m. at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m.  Funeral services will begin Friday at 9:45 a.m. in the funeral home and continue with the Funeral Mass in Christ the King Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial tributes may be given to Ohio Living Hospice for their outstanding care of Fran and the family. Condolences may be shared at www.sujkowski.com.