Honorable John S. Collier

1953 - 2024

HONORABLE JOHN S. COLLIER

The Honorable John S. Collier passed away on March 16, 2024 at the age of 71. He was born January 30,1953, to John and Virginia (Tawney) Collier of Deshler.

John attended Deshler High School and was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School's class of 1971. He married Laurie Lesher on July 12, 1974, in Grove City, PA. Faith was the focus of John's life and family. He was a member of the Oakdale United Methodist Church. John loved spending time at their summer home in Lakeside Chautauqua.

He earned a BA in Economics from Wittenberg in 1975. John completed his J.D. at the University of Toledo School of Law in 1979.

Over the course of his legal career, he served as a private practice attorney, including 25 years as a partner with Gribbell, Sunderman, and Collier in his hometown of Deshler. He served as village solicitor for Deshler, Hamler, Holgate, Malinta, and Cygnet. John presided as Municipal Court Judge in Henry County and was appointed to this position in 1995 and served until May 2011 when he was sworn in as Henry County Common Pleas Court Judge where he served until his retirement in September 2021. As a judge, he held various offices and served on numerous committees, including president of the Association of Municipal/County Judges of Ohio.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John P. Collier and Mary Virginia Collier (Tawney); and his son, Mathew S. Collier. He is survived by his wife, Laurie; daughters, Lynsey Davis (Matt); Lauren Collier- Meienburg (Scott) and Katelyn Collier (William Ocheske). John was blessed by nine grandchildren, Zane & Annika Davis, Jackson, Maddox & Finn Meienburg, Ainsley Ocheske, Knolyn Collier, Knox & Knightley Collier-Ocheske. Siblings, Steve (Annette), Connie (Judy Oslin), Kim; and brother-in-law, Curt (Jane) Lesher; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Service details are available at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home.