Kenneth Elwood Truelove
November 29, 1939 - October 27, 2021
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana
Resided in Chicago, Illinois

Kenneth E. Truelove, 81, formerly of Champaign, died October 27, 2021, in Chicago.
From boyhood adventures on the Wabash River to admiring his favorite view of Lake Michigan at his desk near the end, Ken dedicated his life to family, faith and creativity. Born to Herman and Flora Truelove on November 29, 1939, Ken was raised in Terre Haute, IN and graduated from DePauw University in 1961. He met his true love, Theresa, at a campus Christian fellowship potluck. They wed in 1963 and were married until her death in 2018.
Ken had a lifelong commitment to ministry, first studying at the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas and then completing seminary at the Philadelphia Divinity School. Once ordained in the Episcopal Church, his career in the Church took him to parishes from Philadelphia to Washington, DC then to towns in central Illinois and Indiana, with an adventure serving congregations in the Livingston, MT area. Ken dedicated himself to expanding the welcome of the Episcopal Church and the reach of faith to all, finding greatest satisfaction in strongly supporting those who had been historically marginalized in the Church, and sharing space and fellowship with synagogues and churches of other faiths. His vocation also afforded him a very personal honor: he officiated at the weddings of both of his daughters.
An avid book collector with a perpetually curious and imaginative mind, Ken taught himself Hebrew on vacations and was a dedicated student of physics string theory later in life. He prided himself on creative writing that he applied with equal fervor to sermons, holiday letters and frequent tall tales. Ken loved baseball and although raised a Midwesterner, he was a steadfast follower of Ted Williams with the Boston Red Sox. Ken will be remembered with love and peace by his family, as well as for his frequently articulated and passionately held conviction that round cookies taste better than square bars.
Predeceased by his wife, Theresa W. Truelove, Ken is survived by his two daughters: Elizabeth Truelove McDermott of Chicago, and her husband, Edward McDermott; Rebecca Truelove of New York and her husband, John O’Sullivan, and their son, Bartholomew; and a brother, James E. Truelove of Franklin, IN and his wife, Joan Truelove.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. Burial will be next to his wife at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Loda, Illinois. Condolence cards may be sent to the Truelove family at 611 S. Wells St, Apt 2003, Chicago, IL 60607.


For those wishing to make a donation in Ken’s honor, the family recommends two options:

1. To honor his passion for youth ministry with Colorado Episcopal Service Corps Click Here.
For the memo line, please note “Kenneth Truelove.” Mailing address is Colorado ESC, 1300 Washington, Denver CO 80203

2. To honor the amazing research into Amyloidosis that brought Ken some physical relief recently, donations can be made to the University of Chicago. Memo line MUST include: “Restricted for use Sarswat Amyloid Research/Kenneth Truelove.” Address: Amy Dancisak, Center for Heart Failure, UChicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Ave. Rm. A-621, MC2016, Chicago, IL 60637.