John "Jack" Kelly Collins' Obituary
John (Jack) Collins died peacefully in his sleep April 6, 2024, at Decatur Memorial Hospital after a brief hospitalization. He had suffered for years from cancer and heart problems.
Jack was born Oct. 13, 1934, to Wesley and Agnes Collins. He was preceded in death by his par-ents, brothers David and Daniel, and his oldest son Andrew. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Carol, daughter Amy Hobbie and husband Jim of Crowley, TX, son Chris Collins of Champaign, son Dan Collins and wife Carol of Decatur, daughter Laura Collins of Estes Park, CO, daughter Suzanne Plott and husband Todd of Plano, TX, step-daughter Michelle Wagner and husband Kurt of Mesa, AZ, step-daughter Shannon Warland and husband Tim of Wheaton, IL and numerous grandchildren and great-grand-children.
Jack attended St. Thomas grade school and St. Teresa High School. He lettered all four years in football, basketball, and baseball. His senior year he received the Outstanding Senior Athlete award. After graduation he attended University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN and Millikin University before following in his father's footsteps and becoming a plumber. He was a member of local 65 in Decatur and later local 137 in Springfield.
He was a lifelong Phillie fan and for decades traveled around the country watching them play in different stadiums. As his health failed, he stopped attending games and instead signed up for the Major League Baseball package on TV.
In his later years, he liked to read the morning paper, play cards, work jigsaw puzzles, watch the Phillies on TV, and meet his son Dan, daughter-in- law Carol, and granddaughter Danielle at local restaurants for breakfast.
Thank you to Dr. Atluri for her compassionate care in Jack's final days. And a special thanks to Danielle, our granddaughter, an RN, who was with him every step of his final journey.
Funeral Mass will be at St. Patrick Church at 11AM Saturday, April 13 with visitation one hour prior to the Mass.
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