Photo of Mel that accompanied his obituary in the Lewistown Sentinel.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/8/14 - Image Year: 2012
OBITUARY for MELVIN E. ‘MEL’ LOVE
After a battle with cancer, Melvin E. "Mel" Love, 67, of Port Royal, died at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.
Born 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 Feb. 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, and Randy Love and his wife, Patty, of Blairs Mills; seven grandchildren, Erin (Pray) Larzelere and her husband, Anthony, Nathan Pray, Kaylee (Kellison) Moore and her husband, Jeffrey, Emalee Kellison, Kristen Pray, Laetitia Love and 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 County High School and proudly served his country during two tours of duty during the Vietnam War.
He was a member of American Legion Post No. 298 and Crawford-Brubaker VFW Post No. 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.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, at Brown Funeral Homes Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown, with the Rev. Charles Hershberger officiating. After the service, interment will take place 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 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 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.
Online tributes and condolences may be extended to the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.
