Former Trinity First Lady Carol Meyer dies at age 83

Deerfield, Ill. - Carol Jean Meyer, the first lady of Trinity from 1974-1995, died Easter Sunday at age 83.

Carol was married to former Trinity president Kenneth M. Meyer for more than 62 years. During her time as the first lady, she was active in daily campus life.

She participated in the Trinity Wives Fellowship, and enjoyed attending campus events such as concerts and athletics contests. Her children say Trinity guests frequently were entertained in her home.

The Meyers also were instrumental in the establishment of Torch Trinity University in Seoul, South Korea, where Kenneth served as president from 2001-2005.

"Lanese and I join with the rest of the Trinity community in expressing our gratitude to God for the life and influence of Carol Meyer, who, along with her husband, invested so much through the years in the life and work of Trinity," Trinity President David S. Dockery said. "We offer our prayers for and condolences to President Kenneth Meyer and the Meyer family."

In addition to Kenneth, Carol is survived by sons Keith and Kevin, a daughter Caryn Magnuson, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

"She was incredibly supportive of his ministry, but in a quiet way," Kevin Meyer said. "She loved to serve and support ministry from behind the scenes. She made a great home for us."

Kenneth and Carol met while still in high school. According to a 2014 feature story published on MySuburbanLife.com, the Meyers renewed their marriage vows on their 60th wedding anniversary. The story said Carol worked at IBM in order to pay Kenneth's way through graduate school.

Carol and Kenneth visited 101 countries together. Much of their travel focused on either the work of Trinity or Food for the Hungry, a charity the family has supported for many years.

Visitation is scheduled for 1-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 at the First Evangelical Free Church of Rockford. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., and a reception is scheduled for 3 p.m. The church is located at 2223 N. Mulford Rd. in Rockford.