PORT ROYAL: After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Melvin E. “Mel” Love, 67, of Port Royal, died at 8:30 am on Friday, November 7, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 13, 1947 in Tell Township, Huntingdon County, he was a son of the late Dean E. and Ruth (Hornsby) Love. The love of his life and wife of 36 years, Betty L. (Kirk) Love, preceded him in death on February 5, 2012.
He is survived by: his children, Pamela (Kellison) Pray and her husband Dave, Dave Kellison and his wife Michelle, all of Port Royal, Michael Love, of Newport, and Michelle, of Mifflintown; siblings, Evelyn Gow and her husband Dick, of New Buffalo, Bonnie Allison and her husband Dean, of East Waterford, Randy Love and his wife Patty, of Blairs Mills, and he leaves behind seven grandchildren, Erin (Pray) Larzelere and her husband Anthony, Nathan Pray, Kaylee (Kellison) Moore and her husband Jeffrey, Emalee Kellison, Kristen Pray, Laetitia Love, Cole Kellison, one great grandson, Brycen Watton, his faithful companion Ebbie the Cat, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Two brothers, Ron Love and Danny Love, preceded him in death.
Mel was a 1965 graduate of Southern Huntingdon HS and proudly served his country during 2 tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He was a member of American Legion, Post 298, Crawford-Brubaker VFW Post 5863, both of Mifflintown.
Prior to his retirement in 2009, Mr. Love - as he will always be known to students, teachers, and staff - was a dedicated custodian for 24 years in the Juniata County School District and was a tireless caretaker of the Tuscarora Junior High School and Walker Elementary School. In earlier life, he worked at Empire Kosher Poultry, and Red Rock Construction, Mifflintown.
When he wasn’t working, you could probably find Mel in the woods somewhere cutting wood or tinkering around his yard or, more likely, at the other love of his life – The Lost Weekend – his childhood home in Nossville that later became his retreat for family outings, hunting seasons, and weekend getaways. He loved “the cabin” and the hundreds of cherished memories he shared there. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, and spending time with his family and many, many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown, with the Rev. Charles Hershberger officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Church Hill Cemetery, Port Royal, where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veterans Council.
A viewing will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Sunday, November 9, 2014, at the funeral home.
For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Love’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the American Cancer Society, 1375 Martin St. Suite 206, State College, PA 16803.