John Love, Jr.

Age 93 of Custer Park, Illinois, died Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Miller Rehabilitation Center in Kankakee, Illinois.

Born August 25, 1932 in Kankakee, Illinois, John Emil was a son of John, Sr. and Evelyn (Smith) Love. He was raised and educated in Custer Park where his family were generational farmers. On October 3, 1952, John married Cora Mae Hoffman in Kankakee, and together they made Custer Park their home. He was hard worker who found great pleasure in doing good work and sharing his love of farming with his family. John was proud to be from Custer Park and was one of the founders of the Custer Park Fire Department, served as Road Commissioner for Custer Township, and worked for a time at the Custer Park Grade School. As a young man, He enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and trap shooting. in his retirement, John took to a quieter life spending time at home with his family and collecting John Deere tractors and equipment.

Survivors include his children: Douglas (Mariea) Love of Gardner, IL, Dennis (LuAnn) Love of Bonfield, IL, Dave (Linda) Love of Channahon, IL, and Janice (Joe) Mancuso of Custer Park, IL; seven grandchildren: John Love of Gardner, IL, Melanie Chambers of Gardner, IL, Nathan (Della) Love of Clifton, IL, Joshua (Heather) Love of Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, Dustin (Aly) Love of Boise, Idaho, David (Billie) Love, Jr. of Joliet, IL, and Kristin (Chase) Stewart of California; (8) great grandchildren and (3) great-great grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters: Leona Yates, Leonard Love, Peggy Herbert, Bonnie Wilhelmi, and Gary Love; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; one sister, Betty Nemcivic, and three brothers: Larry, Ronny, and LeRoy Love.

Per John's wishes, cremation rites are being accorded and a private committal will be held at Custer Township Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his wife, Cora.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share John's memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)