Donna Jean Sparks
July 19, 1939 – Oct. 25, 2026
In loving memory…
Donna Jean Sparks, (nee Hagley), 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Adena Regional Medical Center in the early morning hours of October 25, 2026 following a brief illness. She will be remembered for her warmth and kindness to everyone she met, her strong faith, and her sense of humor.
Born in Chillicothe, Ohio on July 19, 1939, daughter of Elizabeth M. (Elicker) & Robert L. Hagley, she attended Chillicothe city schools, graduating from Chillicothe High School in the class of 1957. Donna worked at Mead Paper Mill, later Wear-Ever/Proctor-Silex, working her way up from the secretary pool to the finance department and retiring after several decades of work, and briefly at the Ross County Credit Bureau before full retirement.
Donna’s faith was important to her. She faithfully attended Trinity United Methodist Church where she served as Treasurer for the United Women of Faith group. As part of their Martha Circle, she worked on their luncheons, which raise funds for local charities. Donna was also a devoted member of the local Order of the Eastern Star and rose to the high rank of Grand Worthy Matron. Donna was a longtime member of the Womens Bowling League from a young age, winning many awards alone and with her team along the way. She is remembered as, “always joyous and warm and brought humor and laughter to others.”
Donna was predeceased by her husband David E. Sparks of Chillicothe, parents Betty & Bob Hagley of Chillicothe, her step-sons David A. and Fred Sparks, and her cousin Beverly (Elicker) Petro. She is survived by: her adult children and their spouses: Jay P. Land of Wilmington, David C. & Johnna (Hippen) Land of Chillicothe, and Peggy J. (Land) & David Bayless of Chillicothe; her five grandchildren: Rachel (Bayless) Stewart, Sarah (Bayless) & Ty Talbott, Daniel Bayless, Abby (Land) & Brent Hoggatt, and Alex Land; her four great-grandchildren, Kathryn Stewart, Gabriel Walton, and LouElla and Maisie Hoggatt; as well as her cousin Barbara Hamilton. Additionally, Donna had warmly embraced extended Land family members Ryann & Aubrey Hippen and Heidi (Hippen) & Gage Dotson. She also had an enduring love for surviving members of the extended Sparks family: Jackie (Sparks) Hartley, David J. Sparks, and Melissa (Sparks) Kuntz; her remaining sister-in-law, Kathryn “Audrey” (Dennis) Sparks, as well as Michael Sparks, Tim Sparks, Kelly (Sparks) Huguet, Becky Sparks, and Barry Barnes.
Donna was proud to have lived her life in the Chillicothe area, but she loved to travel, visiting numerous prominent locations across the U.S. with friends or family, making happy memories to reflect on in her latter years. In 2022, Donna took up residence at Traditions of Chillicothe, where she resided until her death. She was known there for her warmth, joy, faith, and sense of humor and was well loved by the support staff.
Per Donna’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation service. Cremation managed by Haller Funeral Home. There will be a small, private celebration at the time of internment in Grandview Cemetery at a later date. See the Online Guest Book to share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy available at HallerFuneralHome.com.
Donna will be remembered by Trinity United Methodist of Chillicothe at their All Saints Day service on Nov. 1st.
In lieu of cards and flowers, please consider a memorial donation to your favorite local charity.
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Haller Funeral Home & Crematory.