Delbert attended a one-room country school and after completing the eighth grade, entered Albia Community High School, graduating with the class of 1943.
With the country in the midst of World War II and the recognized need for trained pilots, Delbert volunteered for military service and was accepted as a Naval Air Cadet in the Navy's pilot training program. However, after completing approximately a year and a half of training, the Navy determined a sufficient number of Naval Air Cadets were in the final stages of the program to meet the need for pilots for the projected remainder of the war and therefore discharged those Cadets who had completed less than approximately half of the required pilot training program.
After receiving an honorable discharge, Delbert returned to Monroe County and commenced farming on the farm he later acquired. He recognized early on that, because of its rolling terrain, the acreage was more suited to pasture land in lieu of row crops and would be ideal for raising beef cattle. He therefore developed a large herd of Angus cattle that proved to be a desirable way of realizing the full economic potential of the farm.
Delbert was a strong believer in the need to adopt soil conservation practices including such measures as the construction of upland drainage control structures, terraces, and grassed waterways to reduce soil erosion. He also practiced strict crop rotation as nature's way of adding nutrients to the soil, thereby improving crop yields. Delbert's farm has been in the Love family for well over a century, having been originally owned by his great-grandfather, James Hamilton Love, one of the pioneer merchants who settled in Albia, Iowa.
In addition to farming, Delbert also worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa with duties associated with the care and well being of the nation's military veterans in need of medical treatment and assistance. He retired after completing over thirty years of service as a federal civil service employee.
Delbert readily accepted civic responsibilities as evidenced by his volunteer work maintaining the records of the Union Chapel cemetery and seeing to the cemetery's ongoing maintenance. The cemetery, located five miles northwest of Albia and near the Love farm, is an excellent example of how all rural cemeteries should be maintained and cared for which, unfortunately, is not always the case.
Delbert practiced his belief that all citizens should participate in the political process to assure that our country's representative form of democracy works for the overall good of the people, was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia where he regularly attended worship services until the last years of his life, and was a member of the American Legion, Howard Cessna Post #136 in Albia.
Delbert Guy Love, age 84, died at his residence and birth place on Monday morning, December 13, 2010.
Delbert was born May 2, 1926, to Guy and Grace (Gray) Love on the rural Albia family farm. He was a graduate of Albia Community High School, class of 1943 and served in the United States Navy. Delbert served for two years during WWII before returning to Albia.
Delbert married Cleo Willadean Van Dorin on June 11, 1945 in Knoxville, Iowa. They shared 65 yrs of marriage and were blessed with one son Guy William "Billy", who preceded Delbert and Cleo in death.
Delbert farmed all his life and worked for over thirty years for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa. He was also a member of the American Legion, Howard Cessna Post #136 of Albia. Delbert worked hard and was a talented man.
He is survived by his wife Cleo Love, of rural Albia; one brother Gerald Love of St. Mary's, Florida; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; his son Guy William "Billy" Love; and his sister Arlene Love.
Delbert's family will greet friends from 12:00 noon to 4:00 P.M., Saturday December 18, 2010 at the Winfield Funeral Home in Albia. A prayer and commendation for Delbert will be led by Rev. Neil Montz at 3:45 P.M. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Oakview Cemetery in Albia. A memorial has been established to the Emergency Department of the Monroe County Hospital.
Obituary of Delbert Guy Love
1926 - 2010
