Vernon Love

Vernon Love, 85, a faithful minister of the gospel, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, October 28, 2018, at the Arlington Villa Heathcare Campus in Arlington, Texas. He was born in Winchester, Indiana on April 4, 1933, the oldest child of Eldon and Estella (Sickels) Love. During his childhood, Vernon lived in Indiana, Arizona, and Oregon. He graduated from Vale High School in Vale, Oregon in 1951 before attending Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida from 1952-1954. It was there that his studies helped to prepare him to preach the gospel of Christ. During his time as a minister, he preached in Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida. Most of the years he spent preaching were in central Florida. He also did foreign evangelism in the Philippines, Ukraine and Jamaica. After 52 years, he decided to step out of the pulpit because of continuing health issues. Preaching was his passion and many continue to benefit as a result of his influence and teaching. He was a member of the Northwest church of Christ in Arlington, Texas at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Jones Love (Arlington, Texas); daughters, Cindy Schoenholz (Greenville, South Carolina), Linda Purnell and husband, Randy (Valdosta, Georgia), Beverly Slack and husband, Terry (Arlington, Texas); and Susan Smith and fiancé, Tommy Kirkland (Bartow, Florida). He was the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon & Estella Love, sisters, Judy Baker and Sharon Christian, and son-in-law, Stephen Schoenholz. A visitation will take place on Monday, November 5, 2018, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Whidden-McLean Funeral home located at 650 E. Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830. The funeral service will immediately follow at the same location at 3:00 p.m. He will be interred at the Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233