Kenneth Love

KENNETH LOVE, 85, of Arcola, IL passed away at 7:33 P.M. Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Tuscola Healthcare Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Edwards Funeral Home 221 East Main Street, Arcola, IL. Pastor Ken Bunker will officiate. Burial will be in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday, September 9, 2024, at the funeral home.

Kenneth was born May 26, 1939, in Taylorville, IL. He was a son of Glen and Pha (Yockey) Love. He married Karen Eaton on August 14, 1982, in Arcola. 

Survivors include his wife, Karen of Arcola, IL; two daughters, Mary Lynne Thompson of Viroqua, WI and Julie Love and her husband Brian Miller of Springfield, IL; one step daughter, Jami Newton and her husband Steve of Spring Arbor, MI; four grandchildren, Gabe Thompson and Abbe Thompson of Indiana, Nolan Frasco of Georgia and Grace Frasco of Florida; two step grandchildren, Kara and Beth Newton; four great grandchildren, and two brothers, James Love and his wife Lois of Mattoon, IL and William Love of Huntington Beach, CA.

His parents, two brothers, Harold, and Robert, two sisters, Marianne Wilhite, and Shirley Critchlow preceded him in death.

Kenny was a 1957 graduate of Taylorville High School. During High School he played guitar in a rock-n-roll band called the “Rockafellas”. Following graduation, he went to work for Wilhite Distributing Company in Taylorville, IL where he worked for 21 years. He later went to work at the Thomas Monahan Company in Arcola, retiring after 30 years of service. 

Kenneth was a former member of the Taylorville City Council, serving on the City Council while Taylorville Lake was being built. He also served on the Christian County Board, and he was a member of the Taylorville Jaycees. 

Kenneth was an avid Fighting Illini fan. He was a St. Louis Cardinal fan, and he always supported the Arcola Purple Riders. Kenneth enjoyed fishing and camping at Lake Taylorville. 

Kenneth was a member of the Arcola First Christian Church.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Arcola First Christian Church.