Jim J. Collins 1943-2005

ROGERS, COLLINS

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 11/28/2005 at 09:15:18

Jim J. “Speed” Collins, 62 of Oxford died Sunday, November 27, 2005 at his home of Congestive Heart Failure.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10:30 a.m at St. Mary’s Church in Oxford, Iowa. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00pm at Lensing Funeral Service-605 Kirkwood Ave. Iowa City. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Jim Collins Memorial Fund.

Jim was born August 17, 1943 in Iowa City the son of Joseph and Geneva (Rogers) Collins. He attended Oxford High School graduating in 1961, following graduation he attended Auctioneering School. Jim served in the National Guard from 1961-1965. On December 12, 1966 he married Pauline Dreier at St. Mary’s Church in Oxford.

Throughout his professional career Jim farmed and raised livestock, he was co-owner of Collins Brother Auctioneering, operated Sleepy Hollow Camp Ground, worked for Hummer Trucking and Matt Collins Construction. He was a member of the Oxford American Legion and of the Knights of Columbus.

Jim enjoyed tractor pulls, playing cards, visiting with family and friends. He took great delight in hosting the friends and family reunion in Oxford for the last 12 years. His greatest love was spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Pauline Collins of Oxford, his two children, Matt Collins and his wife Melissa of North Liberty, Melanie Frees and her husband Jim of Tiffin, by five grandchildren: Meagan, Nicholas and Mason Collins, Ashley and Heather Frees. He is also survived by his two sisters, Coreen Deering of Dataw Island, South Carolina and Dr. Mary Jo Collins of Lawrenceville, IL.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Tom Collins, one sister, Melanie Collins and by one brother-in-law, Donald Deering.