Samuel Powell Love

Samuel Powell Love Age 92 of Canton, Ohio, passed away on February 12, 2012. He was born on Nov. 15, 1919 in Macy, IN and was the son of the late Hershel and Melissa Love. He married Wilma F. Peek on June 15, 1946. Sam is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John and Judie Love and their sons, Shane and Shannon; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Marsha Love; his son, Michael Love and his son, Jeremy; his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Frank Altier and their son, Derek and daughter, Alaina and her son, Evan, and their daughter and son-in-law, Christy and James Hawkins and their children, Emma and Cole and his daughter, Janet and her son, Sam. Sam entered the United States Army Signal Corps in WWII and served honorably in the Pacific Theatre reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. He started railroading as his life's work in 1939 with what became Norfolk Southern Railroad and retired 40 years later as a General Yard Master of Norfolk Southern. Sam's full life included involvement in Barbershop singing throughout his life in every city he lived in. He directed both the Barbershop choruses as well as a Sweet Adeline chorus and was a part of Barbershop quartets his whole life. He was proud to have been a member of the chorus that finished third in International competition in 1955. One of the highlights of his Barbershop life was winning the International Senior Quartet Championship with 'The Silvertones' in 1988. He always loved the companionship of his Barbershop friends and he and Wilma traveled the world for various Barbershop functions throughout their lives. Sam had a lifelong commitment to his church, singing in church choirs and serving as Deacon, Elder and other roles. He belonged to the McKinley Lodge of the Masons. Sam loved to travel and camp. He camped with his family every year until the kids were grown and then he & Wilma traveled the country in their motor home. Sam & Wilma had a home in the Shenandoah mountains for awhile and eventually bought a home for the winter in Sarasota, FL. which they greatly enjoyed. Funeral service will take place on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. at Reedurban Presbyterian Church with Dr. Darrell Holmes officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5-7 P.M. at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home and on Wednesday at the church one hour before the service. The McKinley Lodge F. & A.M. will have a Masonic service at 4:30 on Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials in Mr. Love's name to Reedurban Presbyterian Church, 1145 Perry Drive, NW, Canton, OH 44708. Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home & Crematory 330-833-4839