Terry L. Lawler was born to eternal life on Sept. 29, 2011.

Born on Nov. 19, 1946, in Appleton, Wis., he was the son of Joyce (Studler) and the late Leland Lawler.

Terry was a 1964 graduate of Janesville Sr. High. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater with a Bachelor's degree in English in 1968, and a Master's degree in English in 1977. His teaching career began at Tremper High School in September, 1968 and continued until January, 2002. He was an exceptional AP English instructor, and initiated the theatrical concepts of the Madrigal Feast at Tremper.

He was one of the founders of the Lakeside Players. Terry was an essayist for both the Kenosha News and WEAC. He published a book in 2010, a collection of his essays, called "The Learning Curve". He was also involved in alternative energy for the Midwest.

From birth through 2004, Terry enjoyed going "up at the lake" where he was surrounded by aunts, uncles, great aunts, numerous cousins, and other extended family members. Every weekend was like a family reunion. He loved fishing on Half Moon Lake and deer hunting with Uncle Red and Dad.

For decades he was involved in professional and Community Theater in the area. He was the co-founder of E & L Educational Enterprises with Buzz Englund.

Terry possessed many gifts. An influential teacher, tutor, mentor, to students and colleagues alike, incisive and accessible author and lecturer, wordsmith, entrepreneur, director, actor, radio and television moderator, commentator, columnist, photographic artist, labor and social leader, community activist and celebrant. He was caring and concerned, loyal and generous, abundantly accomplished and completely unselfish in recognizing and encouraging the talents and dreams of others. He thought himself richly blest to be surrounded on his life's journey by the love, support and talents of his wife, Colleen, his family and his friends.

Terry believed in the future, a bright future, in the common goodness of his fellow man and admired the genius and creativity of individuals. Those who knew Terry can attest to his pithy humor, wit, facility with language and keen analysis of world and local events. He was thoughtful and reasonable. If you were numbered among those close to him, you knew yourself fortunate in love and friendship. Personalities of such magnitude are rarely encountered and never replaced. Others may rise to stand beside them, but they cannot be diminished.

Terry will be profoundly and deeply missed by those who knew him and the community he devotedly served his entire life. He was a unique individual, a big man because of a great heart. He believed in the best in all of us, may we rise to his belief.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen (Zuehlsdorf); his sister, Debbie (Michael) Riley; his stepsons from a previous marriage, Jeff and Jay Willman; his nieces, Jenny (Mark Tadder) Spohn and Nichole (John) Molhem, his great-nephews and niece, Devon Spohn, Jalen and Ava James, Daniel, Dylan and soon to be born Drake Molhem.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 7 from 4 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Safe Harbor Humane Society, 7811 60th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142, would be appreciated.

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