Robert Collins

Robert Collins, 81, of Taylorville passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2019, at 4:39 p.m. at Taylorville Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, IL. He was born on April 5, 1938, in Taylorville, IL, the son of Walter “Dutch” and Clara (Passoni) Collins. He married Patricia Sharp on August 19, 1961, in St. Charles, MO. Bob worked as a coal miner at Peabody Mine #10 for 37 years and owned The Loading Zone. He graduated from Taylorville High School in the class of 1956. Bob served in the Marine Reserve Unit one year, the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne for two years, and the 504th RCT in Germany for two years. He was a member of the VFW Post 4495, United Mine Workers #9819, 82nd Historic Assn, Life Member of the NRA, Life Member of the INRA, and served as Alderman - Ward 2 for the City of Taylorville from 1977-1980. In his free time, Bob was an avid fisherman and dreamed of winning the Lotto to buy a new boat.

He is survived by his wife: Pat Collins of Taylorville, IL; son: Douglas Collins of Bloomington, IL; daughters: Gwendolyn Collins of Bloomington, IL and Bridget (Richard) Pletz of Canton, IL; grandchildren: Tennyson Kern, Chelsea (Patrick) Hickey, Emily Collins, Chase Collins, Rowan Collins, and Corey Collins all of Bloomington, IL; Madison Thompson of Canton, IL; Carter (Paige) Thompson serving in the U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA; great-grandchildren: Regina and Abigail Hickey of Bloomington, IL; brother: Jimmy (Ann) Collins of Taylorville, IL; sister: Betty Jean “Betsy” McPeek of Taylorville, IL; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister: Mary Lou “Midge” Schaub, sister-in-law: Betty Lou Johnson, brothers-in-law: James G. Johnson, Kelsey Sharp, and William C. McPeek; and nephews: Joseph Collins and William R. McPeek.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville. Funeral service will be immediately following the visitation starting at 2:00 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville, IL.

Memorials may be made to CurePSP 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.