Memorial services for John A. Collins, 93, of Silvis, IL, will be Thursday, September 15th, 11 am at the Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, IL. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 14th from 3 - 7 pm at the funeral home. Mr. Collins died Thursday, September 8, 2016, at his home. John was born March 11, 1923, in St. Cloud, MN, the son of James J. and Lydia Lyons Collins. Growing up in Silvis he attended McKinley school. His high school years were spent at Moline and he later attended St. Ambrose College. On June 26, 1947 he married Ruth Pieper at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, IA. They later divorced but remained friends. John's companion for more than forty years was Vi Kellums. John considered himself quite fortunate in gaining an extended family through his relationship with Vi. John had a colorful work history including chauffeur, cab driver, bartender retiring from the State of Illinois, Department of Corrections in 1992. He enjoyed his flower gardens, playing cribbage, reading, poetry, traveling - especially to Ireland and tracing his Irish ancestry. John never met a stranger and gained many friends through his life experiences. Survivors include his daughters, Paula (Don) Goering, Hampton, IL, Jon Collins, East Moline, Michelle Collins, Milan, IL, and Jane Gray, Peoria, IL; grandchildren, Brant (Brenda) Goering, Erin (D.J.) Mumma, Jennifer Mortell, and Bobbi Jo Hurd; great grandchildren, Cameron, Devin, and Aune Mortell, Kaley and Kate Mumma, Broc Hurd, Kailen Kier, Ryan and Tristan Stringham, and Piper Garwacki; sister-in-law, Gertrude Collins, Moline, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James E. Collins, and Vi Kellums. The family would like to thank his Hospice nurse Maggie Connors and all the hospice staff, Dr. BoyellaReddy, Dr. Durco and his nurse Mary. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Society of Peoria PO Box 117 Peoria, IL, 61650. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com

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Thursday, September 15, 2016 11:00 AM

Van Hoe Funeral Home and Crematory 1500 Sixth Street East Moline, Illinois 61244