Ernest Collier

Ernest C. Collier, 73, of Jackson passed away Sunday, July 4, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born on Sept. 23, 1930, in Commerce, Mo., the son of Christopher "Columbus" and Mary "Ethel" Mitchell Collier.

He and Dorothy Williams were married on Dec. 10, 1953, at East Prairie, Mo. She survives.

Raised in the Lusk Chapel Community, Ernest graduated from the former Diehlstadt High School.

In 1951, the Korean War era, Ernest was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in Germany. Shortly after his honorable discharge from the Army, he and Dorothy were married. In 1954, they moved to St. Louis, where Ernest worked 15 years at the Purex Company.

In 1969, the family moved to Millersville and Ernest worked several years at HWI. The past 25 years, he and Dorothy (D&E Enterprises) owned and operated several rental properties in Southeast Missouri.

A member of the First Assembly of God Church in Jackson, Ernest was an ordained deacon; served as Sunday school superintendent and mostly recently served on the building committee for the new church being built on Old Toll Road in Jackson; and had served in various other capacities.

In addition to his wife, other loving survivors are three sons and daughters-in-law, Clint and Nancy Collier and Bruce and Ella Collier, all of Jackson, and Mark and Janice Collier of Gordonville; four grandchildren, Christy, Neil, Adam and Alex Collier; and two great-grandchildren, Ashlynn and Zane Collier.

Also surviving are three brothers and sisters-in-law, Edwin and Louise Collier of Kansas City, Mo., Richard and Camilla Collier of Glenallen, Mo., and Ronald and Pat Collier of Jackson; a sister, Mary Tanner of Bernie, Mo., and a sister-in-law, Linda Collier of Dexter, Mo.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Gaylon Collier; an infant sister, Catherine Collier; and a brother-in-law, Fred Tanner.

Friends may call Tuesday, July 6, between 4 and 8 p.m. at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, July 7, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dean Heady officiating. Internment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the First Assembly of God Building Fund.