James Collins

James E. Collins, 80, of Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born April 17, 1927, in Advance, Mo., son of John and Ethel Shell Collins. He and Opal Johnson were married July 17, 1948, in Swansea, Ill.

Collins was a former railroad engineer. He was a member of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and a deacon in the Baptist Church.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; four children, Helen (Bill) DeSpain of Baldwin, Ill., Dave (Debbie) Collins of Belleville, Ill., Kelly (Deborah) Collins of Lenzburg, Ill., Jeri (Joe) McManns of Clarksville, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and five sisters.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Koch-Liefer Funeral Home in Red Bud, Ill., and from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at First Baptist Church in Red Bud.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Dennis Morgan officiating. Burial will be in Red Bud City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association or Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

The family appreciates Dorothy Lloyd and Judy Ruppel for their care and support.