Steven James Sparks, 26, of Eau Claire died Thursday, August 2, 2007, at Luther Hospital of a pulmonary embolism.\r\nHe was born in Eau Claire on October 23, 1980, the son of Bill and Rita (Kisting) Sparks and brother of Stacy. He grew up in Eau Claire, attended Sam Davey Elementary School and DeLong Middle School, and graduated from North High School with the class of 1999.\r\nSteven received his undergraduate degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Master's Degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He was employed as a Production Assistant with Chippewa Valley Community Television and served as an assistant forensics coach at North High School.\r\nSteven possessed an amazing memory and knowledge base of movies, sports, literature-most things. If you were a contestant on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," he would be your "phone-a-friend." In fact, Steven was the friend everyone called just to talk. He was an avid sports fan, following the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers through thick and thin. Steven was a passionate reader-usually reading two or three books at the same time. He had a love and knowledge of movies that he shared with all. \r\nSurvivors include his parents, Rita and Bill Sparks of Eau Claire; his sister, Stacy Sparks and her fiancé, Kevin Brady of Madison; three uncles, Raymond Kisting, Edwin Kisting, and James Ira Sparks; two aunts, Monica Staudacher and Bernadette Kisting; and two cousins, Sheila (Andy) Hoffmann and Patrick (Jill) Staudacher.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Isabel (Hoeper) and John Edmund Kisting, and Dixie (Ross) and Ira Sparks; and two uncles, Clarence Kisting and Donald Kisting.\r\nMass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 6, 2007, at Newman Parish at the Ecumenical Religious Center, 110 Garfield Ave., Eau Claire with Monsignor Edmund Klimek officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, 2007, at the Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, and from 1:30 p.m. until time of services Monday at the Ecumenical Religious Center.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be directed to the North High School Forensics Team, 1801 Piedmont Road, Eau Claire, WI 54703.\r\n \r\n

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