Earl Collins

Earl "John" Collins

With many heavy hearts the Collins family shares that on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, E. John Collins passed from this life into eternal heaven at the age of 81. Having his wife, Ruth Frances Collins, by his side it made it difficult for him to let go. Their love was deep and limitless. We know he takes it with him.

John was born in Madison, Wis., and raised in Oregon with his parents Earl and Mona Collins and his five siblings. After graduating Oregon High School in 1954 he moved to Monroe, Wis., with 25 dollars in his pocket. He moved in with his beloved sister Shan Marie Humble and her family. During this transition, he met "the love of his life", Ruth F. Donny.

After completing his military service, John attended the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. While attending UW-Whitewater he worked as a part time Deputy Sheriff in Green County. In 1958 John married Ruth F. Donny.

After graduation, John began teaching in Riverview School in Silver Lake and Lakewood School in Twin Lakes, Wis. While he was teaching he attended Northern Illinois University to earn his Masters Degree in Educational Psychology which helped him immensely when raising six children. He loved his faith and wanted to share by volunteering his time teaching in the religious educational program St. Johns Catholic Church in Twin Lakes for many years. After leaving teaching he continued to be involved in education by serving on the Randall School Board for 25 years during which he was President of the School Board for 5.

Following 10 years as a well-respected educator, John started his own print manufacturing business which he successfully managed and grew for the next 25 years. In the meantime, John attended Cardinal Stritch University's Master's Program in Business Management with his wife Ruth. He became a member of the Powers Lake Sportsman's Club where he taught hunter safety and loved to hunt and fish. John also became part owner of Johnson Business Forms in Bassett Wisconsin.

John retired at the age of 55. He loved Northern Wisconsin so upon their retirement they spent their time between their lake home in Minocqua Wis., and their condominium in Naples, Fla., where he spent the last year of his life.

Earl "John" Collins leaves a legacy of six loving and compassionate children: Lisa, John, Laura, Tom, Hedy and Kate; and their wonderful spouses Don, Nicole, Mark, Tina, Jack, and Bob. He leaves behind his greatest treasures, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Savanna, John, Alexandra, Cassandra, Brandon, Leah, Philip, Sean, Dillon, Letty, Sean Francis, Madeline, Jake, Caroline, Torin and Collin. He also leaves behind his loving brother Tim, and his brother Bill. There is also his "chosen" family he so enjoyed fishing and hanging with, his amazing friends. You all know who you are.

As hard as it is to say goodbye, we are blessed with having so many incredible memories of John. More than memories, it's an indescribable feeling of gratitude for having been our beloved Husband, Father, Papa, Uncle, Friend and Fishing Buddy. We will carry him in our hearts always until we see him again.

A mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, at St. John's Catholic Church in Twin Lakes, WI. Visitation will be held one hour prior at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that any donations be made to St. John's Catholic Church, 701 N. Lake Avenue, Twin Lakes, WI 53181. Our Father was a CCD teacher at St. Johns for many years and enjoyed it so. Therefore, in his honor, all donations with go toward their Faith Formation Program.