Wesley E. “Wes” Loveless, 79, of Carlinville, died on Saturday evening, Jan. 23, 2021, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
A drive-thru visitation will be conducted Thursday, Jan. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Carlinville Fire House, 317 West Second South Street. Guests are asked to enter through the back of the firehouse off of Cherry Street and not to leave their vehicles. A graveside funeral service will follow, beginning at 2 p.m. at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery in Carlinville with the Rev. Cliff Woodman officiating. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville is assisting the family.
Mr. Loveless was born July 27, 1941, in Carlinville, to Richard Earl and Iva Rose (Behme) Loveless.
He graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1958 and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, obtaining the rank of corporal.
Mr. Loveless had numerous occupations and interests over this lifetime, and always served his community. He was the owner of Wes’ Dairy Bar in Carlinville and served as a dairy man for Starr Brothers Falstaff. He was a past deputy and dispatcher for the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department and past Macoupin County coroner.
He was a part-time school bus driver and later custodian for Carlinville Community Unit School District #1. He stood and greeted children every single morning, and shared his passion for Garfield the cat. He received the Golden Apple Award, as well as the Illinois Custodian of the Year Award, from the school district to honor his service. He carried his custodial work further and worked for M&M Service Company and Farm Credit Service of Illinois, both in Carlinville.
Mr. Loveless was a former alderman for the city of Carlinville and past board member of the Macoupin County Historical Society. He was a member of BPOE 1412; American Legion Guy Baird Post 554, where he served as past commander; VFW; Macoupin County Tractor Association; Macoupin County Blacksmith Association; and Chapter 15 International Tractor Association. He was a lifelong member of the Macoupin Club in Carlinville and was on the Civil War Reenactment team.
His passion was the fire department, where he was captain and dispatcher. He joined the Carlinville Volunteer Fire Department in 1967. He witnessed many changes, including the department changing to a fire district. He loved and cared for his community greatly.
Mr. Loveless is survived by his brother, Jerel “Jerry” (Marilyn) Loveless, Sr. of Carlinville; uncle, Carl Behme of Carlinville; aunt, Verna Knudson of Carlinville; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Wendell Loveless.
Memorials may be directed to the Carlinville Fire District or Macoupin County Historical Society.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com.
