Terryl Lynn Grant Springer

Terryl Lynn Grant Springer passed away on June 12, 2025 after a battle with lung cancer. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Springer, daughters Tessa (Chad) Burris, Kirstin Springer, and Sarah Springer, her granddaughter Ariel Burris, mother Jane Klein, brother David (Melissa) Grant, nephews Chris (Cathy) Grant and Joe (Elena) Grant, and aunt Julianna Collins.

Terry was born in Muncie, IN on February 15, 1950 at Ball Memorial Hospital to Bob and Jane Grant. She completed a Bachelors in Education and a Masters in English from Michigan State while pursuing a 36 year career as a teacher at Northrop High School.

Terry spent her career as a teacher striving to engage students in a love of literature and writing in meaningful ways. She never stopped learning or innovating her teaching practices. She spent many summers teaching teachers with the Fort Wayne chapter of the National Writing Project, helping to build it from the ground up and inspiring other teachers with her talent and love for writing. After retiring from public education, Terry began teaching at Purdue University Fort Wayne, encouraging a new set of teachers and writers.

Terry and Steve married in 1980 after several years of dating and built a beautiful life together for nearly 45 years. Along the way, they added three daughters, a son-in-law, a granddaughter, and so many friends.

Terry was, in her mother Jane’s words, “practically perfect in every way.” She held herself to a high standard and always tried to make people feel welcome, taken care of, and included. She advocated fiercely for public education and frequently used her talent for writing by composing letters to the editor and to her local and congressional representatives on a variety of subjects she felt needed attention. She loved a good book, a clever story, theater, traveling, intelligent conversation, and her granddaughter, Ariel.

There are not enough words to express how much we will miss her.

We will celebrate Terry’s life in mid-July details to follow.

Donations may be made in Terry’s honor to the National Writing Project, World Central Kitchen, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, or a worthy cause of your choice.