Marvin Jacobs was born into this world on January 1, 1930, one day shy of the roaring '20s; he passed away on June 8, 2026. As a child, Marvin lived with his parents, Sol Jacobs (Shia Jakovsky, before his name was anglicized at Ellis Island) and Mollie Keran, Eastern European immigrants who had met and married in the United States. As a young child, the small family resided in the home of his maternal grandparents, Sarah and Kalma Keran. After the birth of his younger brother, Frank, when Marvin was 6 years old, the family moved into a home on Putnam Street in Toledo's Old West End. Marvin attended Fulton School and then Scott High School, where he was a proud graduate in the class of 1947. ("Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!" holds true 79 years on.)

Marv graduated Toledo University (as UT was known at the time), double majoring in history and political science, with plans to continue on to law school. He often explained that the reason that he did not attend the TU law school was that, at that time in the early 1950s, TU's law program only held evening classes. Due to Marvin's proclivity for sleeping at his desk, especially in the evenings, he instead applied to attend, and was admitted to, the University of Michigan Law School. He graduated in 1953 and practiced in Toledo for over 60 years, retiring 12 years ago at age 84.

While readying to begin his third year in law school, he met Marilyn Becker, an undergraduate freshman, during a Sunday Night Mixer at Hillel, a Jewish student organization. That first meeting led to a courtship that continued through Marvin's time in the army, where he was stationed at Fort Smith, Arkansas. The couple married in 1956 and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on February 19, 2026. (A Google search indicated that less than 1/10th of 1% of marriages last 70 years. The accomplishment is not lost on us, dear reader.)

Three children, Mark, Julie, and Bob, soon followed, and Marv served the role as the consummate provider for his family throughout the '60s and '70s.

Marvin lived to serve his community in a variety of manners. Leadership roles at his synagogue, the Temple Shomer Emunim, and also as president of the Sylvania Board of Education. Sylvania Southview High School owes its 50+ year existence in large part to Marvin's forethought and leadership of the school district. He would often point out that Sylvania is the only suburban district to this day that boasts two high schools. The additional high school expanded the range of the educational opportunities for residents of Sylvania, enabling twice the number of students to participate in sports and student activities. He also served as Board President for Darlington House (the former Jewish home for the aged) and was the longtime treasurer of the Toledo Bar Association. Known for never taking no for an answer, Marvin raised funds for a variety of causes, including for his synagogue, Darlington House, as well as marshalling the votes to pass the levy enabling the Sylvania School Board to build Southview.

As an Attorney, Marvin enjoyed a reputation which universally regarded him as a gentleman, a thorough and detail-oriented counselor, and a diligent professional. In the days when attorneys were also regularly referred to as "Counselors at Law," Marvin guided families through difficult decisions and times with reasoned advice.

A man of tall stature, he was a kind and gentle giant, a trusting person who believed in the goodness and potential of each human being. That belief made him a zealous advocate, fueled by his sense of justice and doing the right thing to do.

His commitment to giving heralded a prolific history of donating blood through the Red Cross. Over the course of decades, he donated an aggregate total of over 10 gallons, saving lives of people he would never personally know. Such was the depth of responsibility he felt for those around him.

A believer in the fundamental equality of his neighbors and the vital role of community to sustain those facing hunger, Marvin and Marilyn endowed the food pantry at Toledo Jewish Family Service in 2019. Marvin was an ongoing and continuing contributor to that cause, which remained close to his heart. The food pantry has fed over 5,000 families in the Toledo area since its inception. These actions, and his direct involvement with these entities, reflect a generosity of spirit that Marvin exemplified every day. Akin to a planter of great trees that, with age, provide shade, Marvin's gifts to his community leave a continuing and indelible legacy that will provide for future generations.

Marvin was predeceased (just several weeks ago) by Marilyn, his wife and life companion of 70+ years. He is lovingly survived by his children, Mark Jacobs (Collette), Julie Jacobs, and Robert Jacobs (Heather Dinklage); along with grandchildren, Mark's children, Alexander Jacobs, Saul Jacobs (Catherine) and Margot Jacobs (Ronald Spraggins); Julie's children, Gabriel Jacobs (Abby Judge), Liliana Jacobs, Tanijah Jacobs and Johnnie Jacobs; and Bob's children, Alison and Aaron Jacobs. Marvin is also survived by his brother, Frank Jacobs (Lynn); nieces and nephews; and a growing number of great-grandchildren, along with a host of friends and personal and professional acquaintances.

Marvin made every person feel special and valued every day and those attributes, and the role model that he was for his children, grandchildren, and others, will continue to impact our community and our world well into the future. May his memory be a blessing to all whose lives he touched.

A funeral service will take place at Temple Shomer Emunim, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. Following the service, burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. After the burial, friends and family are invited to a luncheon of condolence and remembrance at the synagogue.

The family will receive guests at Shiva on Thursday evening, June 11, at The Temple, 6453 Sylvania Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.

Arrangements by the Robert H. WICK/Wisniewski Funeral Home, (419) 535-5840.

www.wickfh.com