Memorial service for Melinda Jane Springli will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026, at First Christian Church, Lawton, Oklahoma with Pastor Rachel Thacker officiating.

Melinda Jane Springli, long-time teacher for Lawton Public Schools, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at her home in Lawton with her husband Tom by her side. She was born on March 21, 1956, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Ellsworth and Doris Clark. Melinda was better known as Jane, and everyone called her that. Jane grew up in Florissant, Missouri located in North St. Louis County. She received her teaching degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, graduating in three and a half years in December 1977. She began her career in the small rural town of Silex, Missouri.

Jane and Tom began dating during their junior year in high school with their first date on Valentine's Day in 1973. They were married on June 17, 1978. After four years in the St. Louis area, Tom was transferred to Lawton, Oklahoma in June 1982 as the general manager of Red Lobster. Jane was hired by LPS where she first taught at Edison followed by Hugh Bish, Cleveland, and Lincoln Elementary Schools. She spent 19 of her 40 years at Cleveland. She loved teaching the children wherever she taught. She later worked as a teaching coach until her retirement. She loved being a teacher and was considered by many as a master teacher.

In 1985, Jane and Tom adopted Jack, Rita, and Randy, their three children, all at the same time. What a challenge that was, but they were to up it.

She was chosen as the Conservation Educator of the Year by the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation in 1987. She received her Master of Science Degree in 2005. She was also selected as a finalist for the 2010-2011 LPS Teacher of the Year Award. She was devoted to her church, First Christian Church Disciples of Christ. She was deeply involved with the Christian Women's Fellowship and was president of the group for several years up until the time of her illness. She hosted Bible study on Sunday nights for many years at her home. Served as an Elder and Deacon. She was devoted to our Agape dinner program, helping to feed the homeless on Wednesday nights and 'Sunday mornings. She enjoyed traveling to Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Carlsbad, Big Bend and Acadia National Parks. Her hobbies included gardening, cross stitching, and baking sourdough bread. But her
true love was art and especially quilting, by hand. Her quilts were made as art pieces to be wall hangings. When arthritis made quilting by hand too painful, she switched to painting barn quilts.

She lived her life with love, dedication, empathy for others, and courage. Courage which she ultimately displayed during her battle with cancer. She will be loved and missed for the rest of our lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ellsworth and Doris Clark, brother Jim Clark, and the only grandparent she ever knew, her grandmother Hazel Park. Also, her in-laws, Lee and Mary Springli.

She is survived by her husband Tom of 47 years; their three children Jack Springli and his wife Rebecca, daughters, Hannah and Sarah; Rita Springli, sons Micah and Khalil; Randy Springli and wife Diana, daughter, Victoria; her sister Debby Bolhafner and husband George; niece Sarah Pincus and husband Mike, children Dylan and Luke; nephew Tim Bolhafner and wife Shelby, children Evelyn and Chloe; and sister-in-law Roseanne Clark; Sister-in-law Nancy Bufalo and husband Mike, children Brian and David; brother-in-law Joseph Springli and wife Lupita, children Gabriela and Valeria; brother-in-law Robert Springli and wife Tammy, children Sam and Ben.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Memorial Trust First Christian Church, 701 SW D Ave, Lawton, OK 73501.