John E. Collins, 81, died Sept. 13, 2016, with the heavy hearts of the Collins family by his side. Having his wife, Ruth Francis Collins, by his side it made it difficult for him to let go. Their love was deep and limitless. We know he takes it with him.
John was born June 20, 1935, to the late Earl and Mona Collins in Madison and raised in Oregon, with his five siblings.
After graduating Oregon High School in 1954 he moved to Monroe with $25 in his pocket. He moved in with his beloved sister Shan Marie Humbel and her family. During this transition, he met the love of his life, Ruth F. Donny.
After completing his military service, he attended the UW–Whitewater. While there he worked as a part time deputy sheriff in Green County. In 1958 he married Ruth F. Donny.
After graduation, he began teaching in Riverview School in Silver Lake and Lakewood School in Twin Lakes. While he was teaching he attended Northern Illinois University to earn his Masters Degree in educational psychology which helped him immensely when raising six children.
He loved his faith and wanted to share by volunteering his time teaching in the religious educational program at St. Johns Catholic Church in Twin Lakes for many years.
After leaving teaching he continued to be involved in education by serving on the Randall School Board for 25 years during which he was president of the School Board for five. Following 10 years as a well-respected educator, he started his own print manufacturing business which he successfully managed and grew for the next 25 years. In the meantime, he attended Cardinal Stritch University’s Master’s Program in Business Management with his wife Ruth. He became a member of the Powers Lake Sportsman’s Club where he taught hunter safety and loved to hunt and fish. He also became part owner of Johnson Business Forms in Bassett.
He retired at the age of 55. He loved Northern Wisconsin so upon their retirement they spent their time between their lake home in Minocqua and their condominium in Naples Fla., where he spent the last year of his life.
Earl ‘John’ Collins leaves a legacy of six loving and compassionate children: Lisa, John, Laura, Tom, Hedy and Kate; and their wonderful spouses Don, Nicole, Mark, Tina, Jack, and Bob. He leaves behind his greatest treasures, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Savanna, John, Alexandra, Brandon, Leah, Philip, Sean, Dylan, Letty, Sean Francis, Madeline, Jake, Caroline, Torin and Collin. He also leaves behind his loving brother, Tim, and his brother Bill. There is also his ‘chosen’ family he so enjoyed fishing and hanging with his amazing friends. You all know who you are.
As hard as it is to say goodbye, we are blessed with having so many incredible memories of John. More than memories, it’s an indescribable feeling of gratitude for having been our beloved husband, father, papa, uncle, friend and fishing buddy. We will carry him in our hearts always … until we see him again.
A Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Twin Lakes. Visitation will be held one-hour prior at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to St. John’s Catholic Church, 701 N. Lake Ave., Twin Lakes, WI 53181. Fuller Funeral Home, Naples, Fla., is serving the family.
He was a CCD teacher at St. Johns for many years and enjoyed it so. Therefore, in his honor, all donations with go toward their Faith Formation Program.
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