Marvin Everett "Marv" Smith

Marvin Everett "Marv" Smith

Sun City West, AZ - Marvin Everett "Marv" Smith, age 79, former Mayor of Grayslake, Ill, died Thurs., March 26, 2020 of injuries sustained from a fall. He was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Everett. Marv was an only child.

He graduated from Grayslake High School in 1958. Marv attended Northern Illinois University where he earned a BS in 1962 in Education majoring in Speech and Theater with a minor in Library Science and began his teaching career as a librarian in the Crystal Lake School System. He transferred to Grayslake Community High School where he spent his his entire 30-year career serving in a variety of positions Instructional Materials Director, librarian, teaching speech and Computer Science, retiring in 1993. During that time, Marv returned to NIU earning a Master's Degree in Instructional Materials in 1970.

During Marv's career, he was honored to have his biography published in "Personalities of the West and Midwest" along with "Who's Who of the Midwest" in 1970-1971 editions. He was also made an honorary member of the Theater Fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega.

Marv was elected as mayor of Grayslake, Ill in 1989 and served a four-year term. During this time, he also served on several county commissions as well as being director of the Lake County Municipal League. Prior to this he was appointed to the Grayslake Village Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was elected as a Village Trustee several times over an 18-year period. In addition, Marv served as general chairman for the Village's Diamond Jubilee celebration.

Theater was one of Marv's great joys; he developed an expertise in stage lighting; he was proud to have designed and directed the lighting for three major musicals: "Kiss Me Kate," "Pajama Game," and "Brigadoon." All productions were for the Lake County Concert Association.

He was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Waukegan from 1957 until he moved to Arizona. Marv and his widowed mother, Helen, moved to Surprise, Arizona in 1998.

Marv was very proud of his involvement in a variety of community service organizations including Illinois Education Association, National Education Association, Grayslake Historical Society, American Librarians Association, Actors Equity Union, Grayslake Faculty Association, Grayslake Jaycees, and the Grayslake Lions Club. When Marv moved to Arizona, he continued to support the Lion's Club by joining the northwest valley's joined the Mid-Week chapter.

Marv also became an active member at All Saints Episcopal Church in Sun City, Arizona where he participated with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew; served on many committees and was elected to serve on the Vestry. One of his proudest roles was serving as Verger, training and scheduling worship volunteers, scheduling and organizing baptisms, weddings and funerals, and leading various services during the week such as morning and evening prayer,.

A service to celebrate Marv's life is planned for Fri., May 28, 2021, 10am, at the Camino Del Sol Funeral Chapel, 13738 Camino Del Sol in Sun City West, AZ 85375.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 410 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085.