John H. Love was born in 1922 in Council Bluffs, IA to John and Hazel Love. He lived most of his life in Waterloo, NE where he graduated from Waterloo High School.

Following high school, John served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II where he worked on the Fire Brigade and as a cook. He was discharged in July of 1948.

John married Dolores Jean Norton in October 1943. After his military service, he was a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad for more than 30 years.

John dedicated his life to helping and serving others. He belonged to the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served as a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts and served on the Waterloo Village
Board, including a period as the mayor.

A Member of the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department for over 49 years – including 32 years as Fire Chief – John treated each member of the Fire Department as a member of his family.

John suffered a heart attack as he was responding to a call involving the wife of one of his firefighters on February 3, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and son, Jerry.