Dr. Marvin E. Mayer

Dr. Marvin Edward Mayer, age 95, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 28, 2026. He was born as the second son to Lester & Adelaide Mayer on April 6, 1930, in Elmhurst, IL. His parents divorced when he was seven years old, and his older brother was nine. He lived with his mother, while his brother Bob was sent to live with his father. They wouldn't see each other again for several years.

After his first year of college, his older brother Bob—whose life had been transformed through faith while serving in the Navy—visited him to share his Christian beliefs. He rejected his brother at the time, but Bob said he would pray for him.

Through a series of events in 1950, and Bob’s persistence, Marvin came to understand and believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for his sins. His life was forever changed.

He served for two years in the Marines during the Korean War. It was during this time that he felt God was leading him into ministry, so he enrolled at Westmont College to study the Bible, Theology, and Greek. He then earned a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1958, with an emphasis in Greek language. He finished his doctorate classwork in 1961, but some on the dissertation committee gave him little hope of finishing his research. However, he persevered and received his doctorate in 1970.

Dr. Mayer served the Lord faithfully as a professor at Moody Bible Institute for over 35 years, joining the Institute in 1965 and retiring in 2000. During his time at MBI, Dr. Mayer taught thousands of students in Bible, theology, and evangelism. He became a member of College Church in Wheaton in 1954. During those years, he served in various capacities, including: Chairman of the Council of Elders (3 yrs), Board of Missions Chair (6 yrs), Church Parlamentarian, and founding teacher of Forum 15 Sunday School Class (1965), which is still active.        

He met his wife, Shirley, in 1957, at a wedding of mutual friends in Wycoff, NJ. One year later, those friends were in Marvin and Shirley’s wedding in Westwood, NJ. They were married for 62 years until Shirley's passing in 2021.

Marvin is survived by his children: Cheryl Mayer (Bob), Janice (Rick) McKinley, Bonnie (Jimmy) Young, Diane (Curt) Largent, and Daniel (Tyese) Mayer; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, whom he dearly loved. Also survived by his sister Carol (John) Jaeger as well as numerous nieces & nephews. Marvin was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years; as well as his grandson, Zachary Young; and his brothers Robert (the late Myrtle) Mayer & Anthony (Donna) D'Ambrose.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed through this link: Funeral Service for Dr. Marvin Mayer. Interment & military honors will be private at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Memorials in honor of Dr. Mayer may be directed to "College Church Missions" - 332 E. Seminary Ave. Wheaton, IL 60187.