R. Collins

John R. Collins, 81, of Moline, Illinois, died Friday, June 12, 2009, in Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island, Illinois.

Services and burial will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christian Harness Horsemen's Association, 1846 Ross Road, Sunbury, Ohio 43074. Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, is entrusted with arrangements.

John Robert Collins was born November 16, 1927, in Waverly, Illinois, the son of Albert Ortus and Mary Latetia (Miner) Collins. He served the U. S. Army during WW II, and married Evelyn M. Belky on November 20, 1960, in Evanston, Illinois. He was employed by United Auto Workers for 37 years, retiring as Administrative Assistant to Bill Casstevens, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer, in 1989.

He owned and raced horses, was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association, and enjoyed gardening and poker.

John is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his daughter, Mary B. Collins-Morton and her husband
Robert Morton of Fredericksburg, Virginia; two step-grandsons, Aaron and Evan Morton; and his sister, Ruth Haasis of Champaign, Illinois. He was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.

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