Funeral services for Edward Elmer Collins, 84, West Plains, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2001, in the Rose Chapel of the Robertson-Drago Funeral Home of West Plains, with the Rev. Glenn Murray officiating.
Mr. Collins died 9:45 Tuesday, April 17, 2001, at his home. He was born Dec. 6, 1916, at West Plains, the son of John Benton and Cora May Collins.
On Aug. 10, 1940, he was married to Mary Isavilla Barks, who preceded him in death Dec. 10, 1983.
Mr. Collins was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy. He was employed at Cloud Oak Sawmill, and before his retirement worked for the city of West Plains.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 101, Bakersfield. He loved bluegrass music and attended the majority of the Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association shows.
He attended United Freewill Baptist Church of West Plains.
Survivors include two brothers, Joe Neal Collins and wife, Karen, Harrison, Ark., and Harold Gene Collins and wife Harriet, Hesperia, Calif.; two sisters, Magdalene Surritte, Pottersville, and Virginia Radbury and husband, Gene, Tempe, Ariz.; four brothers-in-law, Vanis Barks and wife, Lea, Orval Barks and wife Shirley, Trueal Barks, and Melvin Barks and wife, Mary, all of Pomona; three sisters-in-law, Ellen Lee Collins, Hereford, Texas, Mildred Warren and husband, Verdon, Pomona, and Dee Gregory, Warsaw; several nieces and nephews, including James Barks, who was raised by Mr. Collins; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and his close friend and dancing partner, Edna Hopkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and three brothers.
Burial will be in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Missouri Military Funeral Honors Program and the Veterans Honor Guard of West Plains.
West Plains Daily Quill 4/19/2001