Prairie State Wire

Braidwood - Willie Henry Love, Jr., 84, of Braidwood, IL, formerly of Custer Park, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL. Born on May 13, 1940, in Kankakee, IL, to the late Willie Henry and Rita Kathryn Love, Sr.

Willie was united in marriage to Carol Jennings on March 14, 1964, at the First Presbyterian Church in Braidwood, where they recently marked their 60th Anniversary. A proud United States Army veteran, Willie served from 1963 to 1965. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington, the Braidwood Recreation Club, and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Additionally, he dedicated his time to serving on the local school board. A lifelong farmer, Willie had a passion for golfing, snow skiing, and hunting. He enjoyed watching sports and treasured moments spent with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Love; daughters Shawn Gross and Sara Anderson; grandchildren Morgan Zoda, Mason Croft, Seth Gross, Connor Anderson, and Carson Anderson; a great-grandson on the way; sisters Barbara Newbrough and Phyllis Harms, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Custer Twp Cemetery in Custer Park, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in honor of Willie Henry Love, Jr.

Click here to read the original obituary.