Jon Sparrow, 85 of McClusky died Sunday February 27, 2011 at the St. Gabriel Community Nursing Home, Bismarck.

Funeral services will be held Thursday March 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, McClusky. Visitation will be held at Hertz Funeral Home, McClusky on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in McClusky City Cemetery.

Jon was born on May 4, 1925 in Foley, MN to Edward and Amelia (Hoglund) Sparrow. He grew up on the family farm near McClusky. After graduating from McClusky High School in 1943, he entered the Navy where he later became a medic for the Marine Corps. Jon served in the Pacific Theatre , including Tinian, Okinawa, and the China mainland. He returned to the States and married Pauline "Polly" Prince on January 19, 1946 in Alhambra, CA. He received his honorable discharge from the Navy on March 8, 1946. Jon and Polly lived in the McClusky area where they raised their family. Jon worked at the Ace Hardware Store, McClusky, until he and Polly began operating the Pickardville General Store. Jon and his brother, George, were custom combiners for several years. In 1962 the family began farming fulltime southwest of McClusky. Polly died on July 6, 2005. Jon was an avid McClusky High School sports fan and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in school, church, and other community activities. Jon was confirmed in 1949 and became a life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church, McClusky. Through the years Jon was a member of the McClusky Rural Fire Department, American Legion, McClusky School Board, and Aid Association for Lutherans.

Jon is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Terrence and Deborah (Westerlind) Sparrow of McClusky; two daughters and sons-in-law, Rebecca and Rodney Brudvig of Aneta, ND, Amy and Tad Schye, of Malta, MT; eight grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren. Jon was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, George, Kenneth, and Edgar Sparrow; one sister, Marie Hausauer.