Steve Mead
1952-04-10 2021-05-07
Stephen W. Mead, age 69, a resident of Wheaton, died on May 7, 2021, peacefully at home with his wife Marj at his side. He was born April 10, 1952 in Oak Park, Illinois to Gilbert & Martha Mead.
The oldest of four boys, Steve grew up in a family where he learned the love of music from his father, Gil, and the love of reading from his mother, Martha. Family conversations over meals were a central part of his childhood, times when the four brothers competed to see who could make their father laugh the hardest. His wry sense of humor was evident throughout his life. One of his frequently recounted boyhood memories was of helping his father tune pipe organs in majestic church sanctuaries. Most of all, he enjoyed hearing his father play the organ whether in church services or at recitals.
Steve and Marj became friends in high school when Steve’s father began to serve as minister of music and organist at First Baptist in Elmhurst, the church Marj attended with her family. Though they went to different colleges, they began dating their junior year and married right after college graduation. For much of their married life, they were part of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn, where Steve loved teaching adult education classes, and they both made a number of life-long friends.
Steve’s strong faith was central to his life. As he dealt with significant illness in his own life, first Leukemia and later Parkinson’s, he trusted to God’s love even as he persevered through much hardship and suffering. Later in life, being a part of the life of Church of the Savior in Wheaton was a great blessing as he experienced the love of Christ through Anglican worship as well as from the care of Church of the Savior friends.
Steve loved his son and grandson greatly. When Steve was first diagnosed with Leukemia when Ryan was eight years old, his consistent prayer was that God would enable him to live long enough to have his son finish high school. As a father, it was always his priority to be available to support and nurture his son. As a grandfather, Steve was limited by his illness in terms of activities, but nonetheless he took immense joy in being with his grandson; humor was a particular bond they shared together.
Steve had an active and engaged mind that was shaped by his interest in philosophy, particularly the works of Søren Kierkegaard. After receiving his BA in Philosophy from Trinity College, he considered pursuing a PhD in order to teach on the college level, but instead ended up serving the academy by a different route. With a MBA from NIU along with his creative, problem-solving skills and ability to listen well and discern, he served Wheaton College for 33 years; first as Director of the Physical Plant, and later as Business Manager from 1988 until his early retirement in 2012, a position that oversaw the operational aspects of the College.
Steve greatly appreciated working with his Wheaton College colleagues, always endeavoring to “speak the truth in love” as he sought to find answers to administrative challenges in a way that benefitted all concerned. Apart from his treasured friendships with co-workers, Steve’s favorite aspect of his job was campus planning and working with his architectural colleagues to make campus both more functional but just as importantly, more beautiful. He especially enjoyed working on the renovation of Blanchard Hall, the creation of the campus mall, and the Meyer Science Center. In pursuing his work, Steve valued these words by Dorothy L. Sayers: “The only Christian work is good work, well done.”
As much as Steve delighted in his own work at the College, he also gained great enjoyment from supporting Marj in her work at the Marion E. Wade Center. He was unfailingly supportive, being present at Wade events whenever his schedule allowed as well as gladly devoting his own vacation days so he that could accompany Marj on her Wade trips to England. The many close friendships they made on these trips as well as through the Wade Center were gifts of grace in both of their lives.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marjorie; his son Ryan, and his grandson Tobias; his brothers Bob (Connie), David (Brenda Simms) and Don (Karen Sarasin); brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law Barb, Herb (Debbie), Laurie (Steve), Jonathan, and Kathy (Jeff); eleven nieces and nephews: Erik, Leota, Adam, Jonathan, Anna, and Josiah (Erin), Mari, Hannah (Chris), Jack, Alex, Carl; and four great-nieces and nephews: Isaac, Ella, Audra and Asher.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service led by Church of the Savior (Anglican) will be held on Saturday, July 24 at 11:30 a.m. in Barrows Auditorium inside the Billy Graham Hall at Wheaton College. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Barrows lobby. For those unable to attend in-person, the memorial service will be livestreamed beginning with prelude music at 11 a.m. To view the service, follow this link: https://www.wheaton.edu/streaming-content/. Interment will be private at Wheaton Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Stephen W. Mead Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Wheaton College (either Online at Stephen W. Mead Endowed Memorial scholarship or by mail to: Wheaton College, Memo: “Stephen W. Mead Memorial,” Wheaton College Advancement, 501 College Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187).
Hultgren Funeral Home
The oldest of four boys, Steve grew up in a family where he learned the love of music from his father, Gil, and the love of reading from his mother, Martha. Family conversations over meals were a central part of his childhood, times when the four brothers competed to see who could make their father laugh the hardest. His wry sense of humor was evident throughout his life. One of his frequently recounted boyhood memories was of helping his father tune pipe organs in majestic church sanctuaries. Most of all, he enjoyed hearing his father play the organ whether in church services or at recitals.
Steve and Marj became friends in high school when Steve’s father began to serve as minister of music and organist at First Baptist in Elmhurst, the church Marj attended with her family. Though they went to different colleges, they began dating their junior year and married right after college graduation. For much of their married life, they were part of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn, where Steve loved teaching adult education classes, and they both made a number of life-long friends.
Steve’s strong faith was central to his life. As he dealt with significant illness in his own life, first Leukemia and later Parkinson’s, he trusted to God’s love even as he persevered through much hardship and suffering. Later in life, being a part of the life of Church of the Savior in Wheaton was a great blessing as he experienced the love of Christ through Anglican worship as well as from the care of Church of the Savior friends.
Steve loved his son and grandson greatly. When Steve was first diagnosed with Leukemia when Ryan was eight years old, his consistent prayer was that God would enable him to live long enough to have his son finish high school. As a father, it was always his priority to be available to support and nurture his son. As a grandfather, Steve was limited by his illness in terms of activities, but nonetheless he took immense joy in being with his grandson; humor was a particular bond they shared together.
Steve had an active and engaged mind that was shaped by his interest in philosophy, particularly the works of Søren Kierkegaard. After receiving his BA in Philosophy from Trinity College, he considered pursuing a PhD in order to teach on the college level, but instead ended up serving the academy by a different route. With a MBA from NIU along with his creative, problem-solving skills and ability to listen well and discern, he served Wheaton College for 33 years; first as Director of the Physical Plant, and later as Business Manager from 1988 until his early retirement in 2012, a position that oversaw the operational aspects of the College.
Steve greatly appreciated working with his Wheaton College colleagues, always endeavoring to “speak the truth in love” as he sought to find answers to administrative challenges in a way that benefitted all concerned. Apart from his treasured friendships with co-workers, Steve’s favorite aspect of his job was campus planning and working with his architectural colleagues to make campus both more functional but just as importantly, more beautiful. He especially enjoyed working on the renovation of Blanchard Hall, the creation of the campus mall, and the Meyer Science Center. In pursuing his work, Steve valued these words by Dorothy L. Sayers: “The only Christian work is good work, well done.”
As much as Steve delighted in his own work at the College, he also gained great enjoyment from supporting Marj in her work at the Marion E. Wade Center. He was unfailingly supportive, being present at Wade events whenever his schedule allowed as well as gladly devoting his own vacation days so he that could accompany Marj on her Wade trips to England. The many close friendships they made on these trips as well as through the Wade Center were gifts of grace in both of their lives.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marjorie; his son Ryan, and his grandson Tobias; his brothers Bob (Connie), David (Brenda Simms) and Don (Karen Sarasin); brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law Barb, Herb (Debbie), Laurie (Steve), Jonathan, and Kathy (Jeff); eleven nieces and nephews: Erik, Leota, Adam, Jonathan, Anna, and Josiah (Erin), Mari, Hannah (Chris), Jack, Alex, Carl; and four great-nieces and nephews: Isaac, Ella, Audra and Asher.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service led by Church of the Savior (Anglican) will be held on Saturday, July 24 at 11:30 a.m. in Barrows Auditorium inside the Billy Graham Hall at Wheaton College. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Barrows lobby. For those unable to attend in-person, the memorial service will be livestreamed beginning with prelude music at 11 a.m. To view the service, follow this link: https://www.wheaton.edu/streaming-content/. Interment will be private at Wheaton Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Stephen W. Mead Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Wheaton College (either Online at Stephen W. Mead Endowed Memorial scholarship or by mail to: Wheaton College, Memo: “Stephen W. Mead Memorial,” Wheaton College Advancement, 501 College Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187).
Hultgren Funeral Home