Raymond Russel Love, of Houtzdale died Sunday, March 27, 2016 at his residence. Born March 8, 1921 in Houtzdale, he was the son of Robert and Pearl (Charlton) Love.
Mr. Love was a member of the New Hope Christian Fellowship Church, Houtzdale.
He was also a member of the Moshannon Valley EMS; United Commercial Travelers; Houtzdale Lions Club where he was a past president; Moshannon Valley Choral Club; and Madera EMS.
He was a former president of the Clearfield County Republican Committee and former Houtzdale Little League coach, and he served as Woodward Township Chief Constable. For more than 25 years, he was a member of the Houtzdale Volunteer Fire Company and for 20 years, he was a member of the Houtzdale-Ramey EMS.
Mr. Love was a charter member of the Moshannon Valley School District and one of the first school board members. He was one of the propitiators of Houtzdale Bottle Works.
He was a graduate of the Houtzdale High School. He retired from National Bank of the Commonwealth and was the owner of Love’s Service Station & Restaurant. He was a civilian aircraft observer during World War II.
On Nov. 17, 1951 in Houtzdale, he married Ruth O. (Thomas), who survives at home.
Mr. Love is survived by a son, Gregory Love and his companion, Julie of Houtzdale; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Ashley Crawford of Dubois, Joshua Force of Syracuse, NY, Raymond Force of Philipsburg and Jonathan Force of Houtzdale; and a brother, Robert Love.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Lee Force; an infant grandson, James Love; three brothers, Frank Love, Walter Love and Tom Love; a sister, Marge Love-Thomas and two infant sisters, Adaline and Ruth.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., with the Rev. Dennis Frantz officiating.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
The Houtzdale Lions Club will hold a memorial service at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday followed by the Houtzdale Fire Co. service at 7 p.m. Both will be at the funeral home.
Burial will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Brisbin.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Houtzdale Lions Club, c/o Donna Ellis, 203 Dorthea St., Houtzdale, PA 16651; Moshannon Valley EMS, P.O. Box 289, Philipsburg, PA 16866; or Houtzdale-Ramey EMS, P.O. Box 224, Houtzdale, PA 16651.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.birgerafreebergfuneralhome.com.
