Mr. James Leland Sparrow, 83, of LaHarpe, IL passed away at 8:21 PM Thursday, October 9, 2014 at the Wesley Village Health Care Center, Macomb, IL. He was born on September 16, 1931 in LaHarpe, the son of John Edward and Hattie Ellen McPeak Sparrow. On May 16, 1954 he married Bertha M. Negley in LaHarpe. She preceded him in death on April 22, 2005.

James was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He owned and operated Sparrow Construction from the late 1950's until retiring in 1997. Mr. Sparrow enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, woodworking, and was well known for his vegetable soup.
He is survived by four children, Deborah (Bill) Hamrick of Augusta, IL, John (Pam) Sparrow of LaHarpe, Diane (Marcos) Chavez of Nauvoo, IL, and Joe (Brenda) Sparrow of LaHarpe, 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Lawrence (Liz) Sparrow of Winter Haven, FL, and Eugene ( Karen) Sparrow of Monmouth, IL, and one sister Clydine Waller of Macomb, IL.

James was preceded in death by his parents, wife, great-grandson Bryson Sparrow and one sister, Martha Sparrow.

No visitation is planned. A graveside service, with military rites, will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, October 13, 2014 in the LaHarpe Cemetery with Rev. Bruce Goettsche officiating. A memorial fund has been established for the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.