Nathan C. Sparger
Nathan C. Sparger, 21, of Lafayette passed away unexpectedly in Deerfield Beach, FL November 14, 2018. He was born January 16, 1997 to Steve and Robyn (Hartlep) Sparger. He was a 2015 graduate of McCutcheon High School.
Nathan was an amazing young man. He had a brilliant, inquisitive mind and loved learning all he could about anything. He was a great lover of music, skateboarding, writing, and meeting strangers. He absolutely embraced the odd, the strange, and the unique; both in people and things. He always had a smile, a joke or an entertaining story. He loved his family fiercely and loved family get togethers. He loved people. He loved getting in deep conversations with anyone who would participate. That was our healthy, happy son.
Nate was also a person who suffered from two diseases that are toxic to each other, and many times fatal. Untreated mental illness and addiction took our much-loved son. He battled hard for the past 5 years and lost. He chose to end his life before he could find out just how amazingly beautiful, he was.
If you are battling, if you’re thinking of suicide, if you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, please reach out to one of the following: Suicide Prevention Hotline- 1-800-273-8255 Mental Health Association- 765-742-0244 Narcotics Anonymous- 765-588-0106 Alcoholics Anonymous- 765-742-1666.
Nathan is survived by his parents, Robyn (Hartlep) Sparger of Lafayette and Steve (Patricia) Sparger of West Point, IN; siblings, Megan Sparger of Lafayette, Kimmy (Justin) Mize of Crawfordsville, and Chris (Kristen) Gustafson of Texas. Also surviving are maternal grandparents Robert and Nora Hartlep and Sandy (Jeff) Culley and Marvin (Cheryl) Kyle; paternal grandparents, David and Sally Sparger also of Lafayette. Aunts, Rebecca “Becky” (Kirk) Hurst, Tracy (John) McMasters, and Stacy (Maggie) LeBlanc; uncles, Shawn (Christine) Hartlep, and Rick (Dawn) Sparger. Also, several beloved cousins and great-cousins survive.
If our son’s death can save just one person, save just one set of parents from having to go through this. What an awesome beautiful legacy Nate will have left. Please ask for help. Please.
Friends may call from 4 PM (EST) until the time of Celebration of Life 7 PM (EST) Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home (101 West 4th Street Brookston, IN 47923). Private family inurnment will follow at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in Nathan’s name to the Surf Center (307 N. 10th Street Lafayette, IN).
Share memories and condolences online at www.clapperfuneralservices.com.