Joe Collins 1930-2016
Alfred “Joe” Collins, 85, Holton, died Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at The Pines in Holton.
He was born Aug. 27, 1930 in Welch, Okla., the son of Dewey and Emma Augusta Bradbury Collins. He graduated from Hoyt High School in 1949.
Mr. Collins served in the U.S. Army in Europe during the Korean War, from 1953 to 1954. He and his wife started Collins Truck Line in 1956, then opened Collins Pipe and Welding, which is still in full operation today, in 1976.
He was a charter member of Holton Optimist Club, American Legion Post 44 and a former member of Jackson County Sherriff Posse from 1974 to 1986.
He married Lee Anna Kern on Feb. 17, 1956, in Topeka. She survives.
Other survivors include three daughters, Connie Whorton and husband Rex, Vicki Bontrager and husband Mark and Debbie Patch and husband Travis all of Holton; two sisters, Wauneta Robertson, Topeka, and Belva Miffleton, Schertz, Texas; three brothers, Don Collins, Holton, George Collins, Sun Land, Calif., and Truman Collins, Topeka; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Danny Joe Collins; five sisters, Lucille Wood, Judy Copenhefer, Helen Collins, Betty Vickrey and Glenda Stenger; and a brother, Ted Collins.
Funeral services were held Saturday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial followed in Holton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holton Community Hospital Hospice, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
