Mary Thorngate McSparin, daughter of Charles and Ethel Thorngate was born at North Loup, Nebr., June 1, 1912, and died at the Sparta, Ill., Community Hospital, May 14, 1973.
She had taught school in Eau Claire, Wis., for twenty-eight years, where she was a member of the Christian Business and Professional Women of Wisconsin. On Nov 12, 1967, she was married to the Rev. Carlos McSparin, pastor of the Old Stone Fort Seventh Day Baptist Church of Stonefort, Ill., where she was active as pianist and Sabbath School teacher until taken with her terminal illness.
Besides her husband, she is survived by four stepchildren: Mrs. Ronald (Alice) Brooks, Alton, Ill., Mrs. Kirk (Carolyn) Bethel and Mrs. Bill (Susie) Bethel both of Harrisburg, Ill., and David McSparin, Marissa, Ill.; a brother, Dr. George Thorngate, Monterey, Calif.; three sisters: Myra Barber and Marguerite Clapper, both of Dodge Center, Minn., and Mrs. Wesley (Kathryn) Baldridge, Albuquerque, N. M.; and several nieces and nephews. A brother preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at the Seventh Day Baptist church in Stonefort. Pastor Kenneth Van Horn officiated. Burial was in the Joyner Cemetery.
