Jeff Harten Love

Jeff Harten Love, 80, Russiaville, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2019 at North Woods Village, after fighting Lewy Body dementia for the last few years.  He was born December 21, 1938, in Heber Springs, Arkansas, the son of the late George C. and Edith (Gay) Love.  On Dec. 8, 1962 he married Judith Kay Ratcliff, who survives. 

Jeff was a 1956 graduate of Western High School.  He served six years in the Army Reserves and was a member of American Legion Post 6 and UAW local 292.

Early on, Jeff worked at Hank’s grocery store where IUK now is built. He retired from Delco Electronics as a machine repairman in 1997, where he received several suggestion awards for his innovative ideas.

Jeff was an avid racing fan and could work on and fix anything.  In his early years he owned numerous hot rods and raced his 1940 Ford at Bunker Hill drag strip, winning many trophies.  He started attending the Daytona 500 with his friends in the late 50’s and has attended every Indianapolis 500 since 1956.  Among all of these were with his long-time friend Joe Miller. The race turned into a family tradition with all of his sons attending for many years, where Jeff was always in charge of cooking breakfast race morning.

Most of all, Jeff loved his children and grandchildren.  He never missed attending their sporting events despite all of the hours he worked.  He instilled his work ethic and repair skills down to his children.  If Jeff needed something, more often than not, he made it himself while teaching his sons these same resourceful skills.

In addition to his beloved wife of 57 years, he is survived by a sister, Joyce Harrel, Heber Springs AR, brother, Howard (Louise) Love, Chile IN, brother-in-law Mike Ratcliff, three sons, Michael (Beth) Love, Russiaville, Mark Love, (Jennifer) Russiaville, and Dr. Matthew Love, (Lisa) Bloomington.  Six grandchildren, Ross (Erin) Love, Russiaville, Dr. Connor Love, St. Petersburg Florida, Christopher Love (Alexis), Minneapolis, MN, Cara (Kyle) Harrington, Portland OR. Jessica Love, Kokomo, Spencer Love, Orlando FL.  Two great grandchildren, Vivienne and Sawyer Love.

The family would like to thank all the staff at both Bloom and North Woods Village for all their love and care over the last several months.  They are all angels and we could not have been without their loving care.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St. Russiaville, with Pastor Bill Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Russiaville Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10-1 Saturday before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Indiana Alzheimer’s & Dementia Association. Online condolences may be left at www.stoutandson.com.

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