Rev. John S. Marvin

John S. Marvin, age 81, went to meet his Savior on September 13, 2016, in Arlington TX, peacefully at home with his devoted wife Betty by his side. He was born on a farm in Shickshinny, PA on July 15, 1935 to Eugene Marvin and Sylvan Belles Marvin. He attended a one-room school house through the 8th grade. He graduated from Shickshinny High School in 1953. He loved riding his horse and enjoyed playing basketball. He went on to graduate from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC in 1957 with a double major in Bible and Speech. He met his wife Betty Mishler at Bob Jones and they were married on July 7, 1957 in Shipshewana, IN. They enjoyed 59 beautiful years of marriage together. They had four children, Dan, Joy, Ted, and Tod and 6 beautiful grandchildren who they loved dearly. He was the pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Waukarusa, IN for 6 years. In April, 1964 he became the pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Kankakee, IL. John was the founder and superintendent of Grace Baptist Academy in 1973 until he retired in 2008. He was active in the school as a coach, chapel speaker, and consummate Crusader fan. John loved preaching in his church 3 times a week, spoke weekly on the "Miracles of Grace" radio program, and traveled to the Pacific Garden Mission in downtown Chicago to regularly preach to hundreds of people staying at the homeless shelter. His greatest joy in life was seeing people come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. As a world-wide visionary, he led the church to sponsor and send numerous missionaries to all corners of the globe. As a result, he made multiple international trips to visit, preach for, and assist the missionaries sent abroad. As an example of a Christian leader with a heart for ministry, he encouraged, mentored, and sent scores of young men and women from the church congregation and the school into various full-time ministries. John retired from Grace Baptist Church in 2008 after nearly 45 years of ministry there. He is known for his huge heart for ministry, his tireless investment into the lives of so many young people, his wisdom, his wit and humor, his devotion to Betty, his love for family, and his dedication to Jesus. John is survived by his wife Betty. His children are Dan Marvin of Reston, VA; Joy and Jim Szymanski of Gulf Shores, AL; Ted and Kim Marvin of Arlington, TX; Tod and Corinne Marvin of Austin, TX. Grandchildren Eric and Amanda Marvin of Piedmont, SC; Alyssa and Stephen Hobbs of Shelbyville, KY; Abigail Marvin and fiance Michael Ord of Arlington, TX; and Alan Marvin of Arlington, TX; Sutton and Payton Marvin of Austin, TX. Surviving are three sisters Mary and Paul Hartt of Stuarts Draft, VA; Ruth and Walter Johnson of Mobile, AL; Ann and Richard Parker of Warrington, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Sylvan Marvin of Shickshinny, PA and brother and sister-in-law Tom and Lois Marvin of Shickshinny, PA. Service will be held Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 11:00 am at Grace Baptist Church located at 2499 Waldron Rd, Kankakee, IL. Visitation will be Saturday, September 17, 2016 from 3-7 pm and Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 9:30-11 am at Grace Baptist Church. Private burial will be held at Kankakee Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Roseland Community Good News Daycare in Roseland, IL and the Ron & Ann Washer Africa Project - Village of Light Blind Center in Togo, Africa.

Rev. John S. Marvin

July 15, 1935 - September 13, 2016