Dan Love age 61, of Chilhowee, MO, formerly of Appleton City, MO passed away Wednesday, March 8 ^th , 2017 in his home after a struggle with cancer.  Funeral services will start at 1:00 PM Monday, March 13 ^th at the Clinton Christian Church, in Clinton, Missouri.  Visitation will be Sunday, March 12 ^th at 4:00-6:00 PM also at Clinton Christian Church.  Interment will be in the Carrsville Cemetery, Blairstown.  Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .  Family suggests memorial contributions to the Henry County Historical Society or the Heritage Fund of Department of Conservation and can be left in care of funeral home.

Daniel Leonard Love was born in Mexico, MO on August 21 ^st , 1955 to the late Clifford Virgil Love and Wilma (Knox) (Love) Eckhoff.  He was the fourth of five children born to Clifford and Wilma.

Dan was characterized by his passion for work and outdoor sports. He spent much of his youth in Appleton City where he developed an aptitude for both athletics and outdoor recreation, such as hunting and fishing. It became clear that his interests were a part of God's purpose for Dan's life as he became focused on two pillars of a well-defined ethos: the rule of fairness and respect for nature.

Dan held a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University (currently UCM) in Warrensburg. His vocational life centered on the enforcement of law in several capacities. Dan performed the role of peace officer in Appleton City and Jackson County, MO as well as in Ashland, OR. He also served as a Conservation Agent for the Missouri Dept. of Conservation (MDC), a position which held personal significance for Dan.

After graduating from the MDC Agent Training Class in 1983, Dan was assigned to work in Henry County, MO. He served Henry County as an agent for 14 years before accepting a promotion in 1997 to assume supervisory responsibilities. Dan accumulated many tokens of recognition and appreciation for his work, but it was his love of the job and his standards of excellence for himself and for others in the rule of fairness and respect for nature that held the most value for him in his career.

Dan married Carole Susan Wilkerson (Susie) of Kansas City, MO on August 23, 1983. He is survived by his wife Susie; his sons Branson and Brock; his daughters Tara, Leia, and Emma; his son-in-law Steven Smith; his grandchildren Ransom and Cedar; his brother Austin; and his sisters Pat, Diana, and Barbara.