Douglas Love

Douglas H. Love, age 81, formerly of Davis Junction and Stillman Valley, died Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at his home in Byron.  He was born April 9, 1940 in his parents' car at the intersection of 7th Street and Charles Steet in Rockford, IL.  He was the son of Leo G. and Dorothy “Alice” (Nelson) Love.  Doug graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1959.  He then attended Wisconsin State College Institute of Technology at Platteville, Wisconsin.  Doug married Carol Wikoff on February 26, 1967 at the First United Methodist Church in Dixon, IL.  He served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War from 1963 – 1965.  Doug worked over 30 years for Chrysler Corporation in Belvidere.  He also owned his own upholstery business where he would repair furniture, car and boat seats.  He taught Upholstery at Rock Valley Community College.  He was a member of the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at Paynes Point, IL.  He was also a 50-year member of the Byron Masonic Lodge # 274, the Freeport Consistory, the Tebala Shrine of Rockford, and the Tebala Shrine Klowns.  He was predeceased by his parents, brother Richard Love, and sisters Janet Lundberg and Kathy Kietzmann.  He is survived by his wife of 55 years Carol Love of Byron; 2 daughters: Cory (Scott) Bolanowski of Lakewood, IL, and Shelley (Steve) Wagner of Belvidere, IL; 4 grandchildren: Alec and Emma Bolanowski, and Samantha and Jacob Wagner; brother Bruce (Margaret) Love of Haines City, Florida; sister Carol Bullock of Copemish, Michigan and many nieces and nephews.  Funeral service will be 10:00 am, Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Paynes Point, IL with the Rev. Andrew Kayes and Rev. Joan Scheffler co-officiating.  Visitation will be Friday, March 18, 2022 from 4-7 pm, at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 136 W. Roosevelt Road in Stillman Valley, IL followed by a 7:00 PM Masonic Service.  Burial will follow the service on Saturday at the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery with Military Honors by the Rochelle VFW Post # 3878.  A memorial fund is established in Doug’s name for the Shriners Children’s Hospitals or the Carpenter’s Place Outreach Center.