Erleen Joy Sparbel, 92, of Urbana passed away at 9:15 A.M., Monday, August 25, 2014 at Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana. She was active all of her life.

Per her wishes, no funeral service will be held. A reception will be held at Milo's Restaurant in Urbana on Thursday, September 4, 2014 from 3:30-5:00. Kinston, North Carolina services were held on August 31, 2014. She will be buried beside her husband, Norman Sparbel and daughter, Lee Ann (Sparbel) Fielder in Jacksonville, N.C.

Erleen was born on July 14, 1922 in Wausau, Wisconsin to parents Arthur and Esther (Albrecht) Sherbert. They preceded her in death. On January 10, 1942 Erleen married Norman Sparbel and they had a daughter, Lee Ann. Norman, Lee Ann and her brother Glenn Sherbert preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother, Donald (Janice) Sherbert, Urbana.

Erleen lived in many states including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Indiana, Alabama and North Carolina. She traveled most of the US with husband, Norman who was a Universalist Unitarian minister. Erleen was a credit union manager for many years and served as a coordinator for CUNA, Credit Union National Association. But her first love was painting, and her home and that of many others are graced with her paintings.

After retirement, they moved to Kinston, North Carolina, and resided there for many years. Erleen was a volunteer at the Kinston Art Center and participated in other community projects. After the passing of Norman and Lee Ann she came to live in Urbana, where her brother, Donald Sherbert and sister-in-law, Janice Sherbert live. Erleen resided at Canterbury Ridge for several years. Her warm smile and charm will be missed by many.