- Date Of Birth: October 7, 1945
- Date Of Death: April 20, 2016
- State: Illinois
Terry Spurling, 70, of Ottawa died unexpectedly on April 20, at Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, Florida.
Mr. Spurling was born on October 7, 1945 in Lincoln, IL to Merlin and Mary (Langley) Spurling. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963. He then joined the US Air Force and married his high school sweetheart, Coleen Miller, also of Lincoln, in 1964.
He retired from Illinois Power (Ameren) after 39 years of working in blizzards, ice storms, thunderstorms, and extreme heat. He never complained, and instead became known for saying, This aint so bad. All he cared about was helping people get their power restored.
Mr. Spurling is survived by Coleen, his wife of 51 years; a son Steve (Diane) Spurling, of St. Charles, IL; a daughter Jodi (Ron) Scharer of Fulton, IL; three grandchildren, Sarah, Samantha and Matt; two brothers, Gary (Barb) Spurling, of Bloomington and Larry (Cindy) Spurling, of Lincoln, IL; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Glenna and Dohn Read, of Normal, 2 step granddaughters Jennifer (Greg) Swanson, of Ottawa, and Stacey (Aaron) Rios, of Effingham, IL, 5 step great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews who will miss the laughter and love he provided. He is also survived by very close special friends, Jim (Rosa) Toynton and their daughters, Sydney, Randi, and Maddy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and mother- and father-in-law Audry and Paul Miller.
He was a member of the American Legion and an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee for many years and was willing to help any way he could around the church.
Mr. Spurling enjoyed traveling, biking, hiking, and reading. He also loved spending time doting on his beloved grandchildren and Toynton girls. He will be remembered for his genuine acts of kindness and compassion, and his gifts of making people laugh.
