Terrence J. “Terry” Grussenmeyer – Duker & Haugh

Terrence J. “Terry” Grussenmeyer, age 75, of Quincy, was unexpectedly called to his Heavenly home on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 11:06 am in the Blessing Hospital Emergency Room. He was born December 31, 1948 in Quincy, the only son of Melvin and Mildred (Niekamp) Grussenmeyer. Terry attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and was a 1967 graduate of Christian Brothers High School, both in Quincy. On March 29, 1969, he married Cheryl Walker at St. Francis Catholic Church, and during their 33-year marriage, they raised 3 daughters, the pride and joys of Terry’s life.

Terry began his career with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Department of Motor Vehicles in 1975, and spent 28 years terrifying the teenagers of Adams County seeking their drivers licenses before retiring in 2002. He loved recounting tales of the most memorable exams he gave, and often joked that he should write a book entitled “Nightmares of a Drivers License Examiner.”

Terry was a proud, lifelong member of the Democratic Party. In 1975, he was elected to the position of Alderman for Quincy’s 1st Ward, and spent 28 years serving not just the residents of the 1st Ward, but all of Quincy. Even after stepping down from the position in 2005, Terry remained very active in local politics, and was always ready to talk City business and give advice to those who served after him. Terry went on to work for the City of Quincy in Risk Management and Nuisance Abatement before finally retiring in 2009.

Terry was a longtime member of St. Francis Catholic Church, and making sure his children and grandchildren receive a Catholic education in Quincy was one of his highest priorities. He was a longtime supporter of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, dating back to his own daughters time on the team during the 1980s. As recently as earlier in December, Terry and his good friends would travel to support the Lady Raiders at their out-of-town competitions.

Terry was an avid sportsman in his younger years, hunting deer, ducks, and geese, as well as many other smalls animals. He was a lifelong member of Ducks Unlimited. He was an avid collector of sports cards, and for several years he could be found every Sunday setup at Sports Cards Shows under the name Trader T. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, a love that was instilled in him by his father Melvin, who had once had an opportunity to try out for the team. Before his body slowed him down, Terry loved taking his family to Cardinals games in St. Louis, and even when he was no longer physically able to attend, he still watched or listened to every single game, even during the team’s worst seasons.

More than anything, Terry considered his greatest accomplishments to be his children and grandchildren, and his deepest joy was spending time with them, especially at family breakfast every Sunday morning. He dutifully attended every sporting match, dance recital, quiz bowl match, and school play, and felt deep pride with every accomplishment, both big and small. He strove his entire life to take care of the people he loved most, and his legacy will forever live on in his family.

Terry is survived by three daughters: Missy Brinkley and her husband Darren, Theresa Alford and her husband Bruce, and Megan Hummelsheim, all of Quincy; five grandchildren: Gibson Brinkley and his fiancée Cami, of Brooklyn, NY, and Delaney Brinkley and her partner Colton, Dr. Owen Alford-Bichsel and his wife Paige, Olivia Alford, and Ian Alford and his significant other Marcella, all of Quincy; and two great-grandchildren: Wells and Mae Love. Terry is also survived by his son-in-law Matt Hummelsheim, his brother-in-law Scott Walker and his wife Karen, his sister-in-law Sheila Hester, his brother-in-law Dick Kemner, and too many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended families members to name, as well as close personal friends who he considered to be family.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Howard Walker, his mother-in-law Dorothy Walker, his sister-in-law Lori Kemner, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 9:30 am at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Francis Catholic Church. Internment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 from 4:00 until 7:00 pm at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Quincy Notre Dame Girls Basketball. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.