Erwin Melvin Christiansen – Age 96, a resident of Alden's Retirement Community in Aurora, passed away at home on October 12, 2019. He was born August 1, 1923, in Chicago to Melvin and Theresa Christiansen.

Erwin graduated from Bowen High School in 1941. Afterward, he served in the US Army during World War II and was stationed in the Philippines and Papua, New Guinea. While there, he played on the US Army baseball team. After the war, he returned to Chicago where he attended art school and began a career as a commercial artist for several downtown advertising agencies including Ziegler, Buck and Holt, Kobbs and Draft, Holt Communications, and Saatchi and Saatchi. His talents gave him the opportunity to work on many well-known ad campaigns including the Campbell Soup Kids, Florsheim Shoes, Remington Electric Razor, and the Reggie Jackson candy bar.

In 1951, he married his hometown sweetheart, Dorothy Jean Moberg. Erwin and Jean had two daughters, Beth and Carol, and the family moved to the suburb of Flossmoor in 1967. His true passion was his girls who both recall him as the kindest man and most loving father who would play with them for hours on end. He was also a talented ice skater and built a rink in the back yard every winter for his girls and their friends to enjoy.

Erwin's love for baseball and sports was reignited when his only grandson, Andrew Marin, was born. Erwin literally showed up at the hospital with a baseball and mitt for Andy. He finally had a boy with whom he could teach and enjoy baseball, hockey, and all things sports. Erwin and Jean retired to the Aurora-Naperville area which made it even easier for them to see every single one of Andy's games.

Erwin was a strong man of faith and a member of Calvary Church in Naperville. For most of his adult life, Erwin used his artistic talents to share the good news of Jesus Christ in chalk talks that he and his wife gave at churches and schools across the country, even after retirement.

Erwin is survived by his wife Dorothy Jean Christiansen; his children: Beth Marin (Peter), and Carol Dalton (Michael); his grandson Andrew Marin (Brenda) and his great-granddaughter Emmelia Marin.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 16th at 10:00 am in the Chapel at Calvary Church of Naperville (parking near door 7) with interment at Cedar Park Cemetery in Calumet Park.