Keith D. Collings

1952 - 2024

Keith D. Collings
Born: November 3, 1952 in Mendota, IL
Died: February 28, 2024 in Peoria, IL
Keith D. Collings, "Moose" or Papa Keith to his friends, "Bud" to his family, did not go quietly into the night. After a short visit with the Mendota ER, he made his acquaintance known to the Life Flight crew, then settled with no small amount of trouble (again) with the ICU staff at Carle Health Methodist. After a shot of Jameson's and a beer, Keith went on his way to make new friends, and reunite with family and old friends. Visitation will be Friday, March 8, 2024 from 11am to 1pm in First United Methodist Church, with a Celebration of his life to follow at 1pm with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded and burial will be private. Wasmer Funeral Home is privileged to assist the family.
Keith was born November 3, 1952 in Mendota Community Hospital to Carroll and Helen (Reinhardt) Collings. He graduated Paw Paw high school in 1971. Keith married the love of his life Dessa Shaw on April 14, 1984 in Paw Paw at the First Methodist Church. Moose worked for 33 and a half years for Caterpillar, Inc as a C n C operator. He also worked for several years at HCC, Inc before retirement.
Bud never slowed down, even when his form of mobility changed. For many years he was the First United Methodist Church soundboard operator, not only for the Sunday service but each funeral, wedding or service that needed him. He was active in his community as well, belonging to The Optimist Club, Mendota Elks Lodge #1212, and socially in the Knights Of Columbus and V.F.W. He was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church.
Keith will be forever missed by his wife Dessa of Mendota; son Justin Collings of Cincinnati, OH.; 3 daughters: Valerie (Jamie) Humphry of Audubon, PA., Meghan (Greg) Caley of Mendota, Chelsea (Andrew) Maunu of Tonica; 6 grandchildren: Mason, Madison, Toby, Madalynn, Layne, Freya and 3 sisters: Diane (Gene) Rod of Mendota, Becky Moorehead of Paw Paw, and Darlene Wujek of Troy Grove. Preceding him in death are his parents, his in-laws Billy (Arky) and Betty (Frey) Shaw, 3 brothers-in-law: Eddie Jo Shaw, Kerry Moorehead, Rick Wujek, and sister-in-law Linda Hamilton. Honorary pallbearers will be Toby Bulen, Layne Caley, Mason Humphry, Rick Jacobs, Gavin and Ryan Moorehead, Tony Troyer, Mathew and Michael Wujek.
Memorials may be made to the family. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.