Wayne Clifford Sparling, age 93 of Landenberg, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
He was born in Jamestown, NY in April of 1932, the son of Clifford and Florence Sparling. He was the husband of Cora Hawkins Sparling. They celebrated 38 years of marriage in June.
After high school Wayne went into the US Air Force. He graduated from Purdue University and Cornell University with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and made a career with the DuPont Company beginning in 1958 and retiring in 1991.
Wayne enjoyed tennis, golf, woodworking in his shop, bird watching, and sitting outside by the lake. He followed the Purdue Boilermakers, and if you were around him long enough, he would at some point sing the Purdue fight song. He was a member of the DuPont Country Club for 67 years. He was an active member at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Phix-it Group.
In addition to his wife, Cora, he is survived by his son, Christopher Dow, who lives in New Mexico. He is also survived by two stepdaughters, Jill Rutledge of Quarryville, and Janelle Hadly of West Grove. He leaves behind four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Pauline Keyes.
A service to celebrate Wayne’s life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday November 22, 2025 at 11:00am, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern Chester County EMS 863 W Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA 19390 or Westminster Presbyterian Church 1502 W 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806.
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