George A. Collins services Tuesday
Graveside services with Masonic Rites for George Alsup Collins, 78, West Plains, will be 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1999, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, with Brother Keith Combs officiating under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home of West Plains.
Mr. Collins died 2:50 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, at Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains. He was born Nov. 4, 1920 at West Plains, the son of John Benton and Cora Mae Collins.
He received his education in the schools of West Plains, and in 1949 was married to Erman Branstetter, who precded him in death in 1991. On Sept. 22, 1992, he was married at West Plains to Le Modene Carrico.
Mr. Collins was a veteran of World War II, having achieved the rank of TEC 4 with the U.S. Army. He served in the 533rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion in General George Patton's Third Army, having seen action in the North African Campaign and numerous operations in Germany. Mr. Collins experienced some of the hardest fighting of World War II and was decorated for personal gallantry in battle numerous times.
Before his retirment, he was employed as an electrician with the city of West Plains and Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative.
He joined the Masons in 1954, with his membership in Mt. Zion Lodge AF and AM No. 327 of West Plains and served as Master in 1988 and 1999. Mr. Collins was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. West Plains Chapter No. 193, having served as Worthy Patron in 1988. He was a member of the Mtn. Grove Commandary No. 47, Mtn. Grove Fidelity Council No. 35 and Mtn. Grove Chapter No. 139 RAM adn was a member of the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine AAONMS, Springfield.
He was of the Methodist faith and attended Smith Chapel Church for the past seven years.
Survivors include his wife, Modene Collins, of the family home; three brothers, Edward Collins, West Plains, Harold Gene Collins and wife, Harriet, Hesperia, Calif., and Joe Neal Collins, Harrison, Ark,; two sisters, Magdaline Surritte, West Plains, and Ruby Radbury, Tempe, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; two sons, Michael Collins and G.A. Collins; and two brothers, Andy Collins and Boyd Collins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon Bible Society and left at the funeral home.
The body will lie in state from 3 p.m. today until 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.