FRANK LOVE JR.

December 15, 1928 - October 27, 2014

Frank Love, Jr., 85, of Kankakee, died Monday, October 27, 2014 at his home. Visitation will be Sunday, November 2, 2014 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Lax Mortuary and again on Monday, November 3, 2014 from 12:30 P.M. until time of funeral services at 1:00 P.M. at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor C. Ramónt Morris will officiate and Pastor Emeritus William H. Copeland Jr. will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory. Memorials may be made to the Kankakee County Chapter of the NAACP. Frank Love, Jr. was born December 15, 1928 in Kankakee, IL to Mary Jane and Frank Love Sr. He was the fourth child of eleven children. He was baptized at an early age at the Original Church of God, by Elder Gray. Frank was a graduate of Kankakee High School where he was a star member of the basketball team. He was employed by Mobil Chemical and Valspar Corporation for a combined total of over 37 years. He was also employed by Kankakee School District 111 as Community Services Director for eleven years. He also served as a Justice of the Peace in Kankakee County in the 1960’s. Frank was wedded in Holy Matrimony to Margaret S. Gathing on July 19, 1953. Born of this union were two children, Marcel Franklin Love and Janine Lily Love. Prior to his marriage, his daughter Denise Cox was born. Frank was a lifelong resident of Kankakee, IL. After his retirement, he and his wife also enjoyed a winter home in Fort Myers, FL for 10 years. Frank was a lifetime member of the NAACP and was active in both the Kankakee County (Illinois) Chapter as well as the Lee County (Florida) Chapter and held various positions on their Boards. He was a member of the Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education for 13 years and also served as president of the board. Frank was a champion for change in the Kankakee Community. He had been recognized by the community and received numerous awards including: The President’s Award for Outstanding Community Leadership in Education, by the Kankakee County Chapter of the NAACP-1982 Kankakee Outstanding Black Republican, in recognition of outstanding community leadership in Civil Rights, Education and Politics-1980 Illinois Office of Education Award for Educational Excellence, State of IL-1977 Outstanding and Dedicated Service, Black History Program, Kankakee School District 111-1984 Meritorious Service as member and president of the Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education-1972-1985 Meritorious Service Award Dedication and Commitment to the Lee County Branch of the NAACP-2003 He was a fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls, was a Civil Rights Advocate and was a Black History Historian. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 61 years, Margaret S. Love of Kankakee, IL; one son and daughter-in-law, Marcel Love of Kankakee, IL and Barbara Love of Minneapolis, MN; two daughters, Janine Love-Estes of Fort Myers, FL and Denise Cox of Aurora, IL; two brothers, Norman Love of Park Forest South, IL and Roger Love of Orlando, FL; one sister, Mary Harris of Kankakee, IL; two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Earl and Nancy White of Las Vegas, NV and Nathaniel White Sr. of Kankakee, IL; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jane and Frank Love Sr.; five brothers, George, Ronald, Sam, Leroy and Leslie Love and one sister, Darlene Brantley.