Finis Louise Springer

1929 - 2022

Finis Louise Springer was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 14, 1929. She was the seventh of nine children of Julia and Tex Williamson. Finis moved to Gary in 1946 and became a member of St. Monica Catholic Church. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in January 1948 and married the love of her life, Garfield Springer, that February. Married fifty-eight years until Garfield died in 2006, their union produced eight children – Julia, Carlton, Dominique, Garfield, Pearlette, Daniel, John, and Andrew. They also raised one of Garfield's nieces – Rita. Finis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Indiana University and a Master of Science degree in Education from Indiana University Northwest. From 1962 to 1968, she taught at the St. Monica Catholic School. From 1969 to 1990, she taught for the Gary Community School Corporation, teaching at Carver, Douglas, Duncan, Norton, and Spaulding Elementary Schools. After her retirement in 1990, she immersed herself in multiple volunteer services, especially with the Horace Mann-Ambridge Neighborhood Improvement Organization (HMANIO), a non-profit group engaged in rehabilitating houses and commercial buildings, and other structures in the city of Gary. Under her leadership, a Nehemiah Grant of more than a half-million dollars was received from Housing and Urban Development to rehabilitate forty-one homes. The Nehemiah Grant program was designed to provide housing for people of modest means. The program provided employment opportunities and revitalization to the community. Finis retired from HMANIO in 2006 and completed her service with Gary Human Relations in 2020 at the age of 90. She was a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Beta Mu Chapter, the Indiana State Teachers Association, NAACP, and Knights of Peter Claver. On Sunday, April 3, Finis transitioned peacefully at 7:38 am, surrounded by several of her children and grandchildren. Services Visitation and Wake will be on Monday, April 11, from 12 pm to 8 pm and family hour from 7 pm to 8 pm at Guy and Allen Funeral Home, 2959 W. 11th Avenue, Gary, IN 46404. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, April 12 at 11 am at Ss. Monica & Luke Catholic Church, 645 Rhode Island St., Gary, IN 46402