Joseph W. Love

Joseph (Joe) W. Love, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 6, 2024, with his beloved dog Juno by his side, after a brief illness. 

Joe was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Joseph L. and Lillian J. (Satek) Love. He graduated from Barrington High School and enlisted in the US Coast Guard during the Viet Nam conflict, proudly serving on the USCG Winnebago. 

Photography was one of his many loves and talents, he attended the Professional Photography Institute and took business courses at Rock Valley College. He did camera repair and sales at Oak Park Camera in Oak Park, IL, the Riverside K-Mart photo department, Camera Craft, and Lundgrens, both in Rockford. 

He also loved fixing things, and he was “Mr. Fix It’ at Zanocco Ave Hardware for the past 18 years. 

He married Arles Hendershott in 1986, and they had 38 years of a strong union filled with the things they both loved to do together. 

Joe had a servant’s heart and was always willing to help anyone and share his talents which he did with many organizations in the area including but not limited to, Milestone, Special Olympics, Lifescape, Boys and Girls Club, RAMP, On the Waterfront, Rockford Rescue Mission, and many more. 

Joe and Arles believe in supporting students and sponsored scholarships at Rock Valley College, Illinois State University, and the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. 

Joe was a man of deep faith and taught second grade Sunday school with his wife Arles at Westminster Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. He also helped the Salvation Army. 

After he semi-retired Joe became a wonderful dog trainer, and he and his beloved border collie Keanu earned over 80 titles in scent work, obedience and tricks. They were also the first Border Collie Therapy Dog team to earn the AKC Supreme Title. Their work during COVID earned an Illinois State Senate resolution and honor from State Senator Steve Stadelman, and a letter of commendation from Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. 

Joe was predeceased by his parents, his in laws, Eugene and RoseMary Hendershott, Bert and Pat Snyders, and his beloved dog Keanu. 

He is survived by his wife, Arles, his nephew Jon Clark, his “Texas family” Mike, Jen, and Lillian Kost, his ex-wife JoAnne Snyders of Tennessee, and his former brothers in law Dave (Angela) Snyders of Freeport, Illinois, and Dan (Svitlana) Snyders of Tennessee, and a huge number of friends who he considered family. 

A Memorial Service will be on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 2:00 pm, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory Mulford Chapel, with Chaplain W. Scott Hale from St. Croix Hospice, a longtime friend, and Minister Lonnie Williams from Christian Growth Center, another longtime friend presiding, there will be a visitation an hour prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be a nighttime visitation on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL  61108. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Joe Love's memory can be made payable to the 'UW Foundation' with a note to direct the gift to "Miss Keanu Love Excellence in Veterinary Medicine Memorial Scholarship Fund 112840124." Mail to UW Foundation US Bank Lockbox Box 78807 Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Gifts can also be made online at www.supportuw.org/giveto/LoveMemorial. 

Cremation rites have been accorded. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. To share condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.