COLLINS, Wayne (1931-2023)

COLLINS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/29/2023 at 12:33:23

Wayne Collins
(October 2, 1931 - January 25, 2023)

Wayne Collins, 91, of Indianola, IA, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Overton Funeral Home, in Indianola with burial following in the Indianola IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, at Overton Funeral Home where family will be present to greet friends.
Rolland Wayne Collins, son of Cager and Lottie (Craig) Collins was born October 2, 1931 in Van Wert, IA on a small farm in the middle of the Great Depression. He graduated Weldon High School in 1949. Wayne joined the Navy in 1950 and served his country during the Korean War as a machinist 2nd class until 1954. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart Deloris Nicholson on June 8, 1952. He was a loving devoted husband for over 70 years. He spent over thirty years working at John Deere in Ankeny and held many different union positions while there, and then retired to full time farming. He farmed his entire life. He harvested his last crop in the fall of 2022 at 91 years old. Farming was his passion. He could often be found walking the fields or driving his green tractor. Many of these grandchildren would refer to him as farm grandpa. One of Wayne’s many talents was being able to fix just about anything. There wasn’t a car, tractor, house project, or anything in between that he couldn’t fix. He was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Indianola. Wayne and Deloris regularly attended Sunday morning services for over 55 years. He was known as a friendly but quiet man that supported many community groups. He held many positions in the Indianola Evening Lions serving as treasurer and eagerly took on the challenge of the pie sale fund raising. He supported the building of over ten Habitat of Humanity homes using many different building skills. Wayne was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. The grandchildren have many fond memories and fun times on the farm. Often, Wayne would give the grandchildren rides on the little red tractor, many snowmobile rides, and more pushes on a tire swing than any one person could count. When the grand kids were around, Wayne would always take the time to play. He was a consistent presence in the lives of those he loved. He would always support his grandchildren and great grandchildren in all of their many activities. Wayne was truly loved by his family and will be forever missed.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 70 years, Deloris; children, Roger Collins, Steve (Deb) Collins, Brian (Jamie) Collins, William (Deb) Collins; grandchildren, Melenie (Brian) Grimm, Steve (Melissa) Collins, Jessica (James) Vasey, Jason (Hannah) Collins, Melissa (Darwin) Curl, Joshua (Michelle) Collins, Allison (Kaleb) Marois, Nicole (Matt) Nickel; great-grandchildren, Jadelynn, Liberty, Justus, Faithlynn, Titus, Harmony Curl; Arlowyn Collins, Abigail, Lillian and William Vasey, Elena Grimm, Cameron and Lucia Collins, Grace Nickel, Emery Marois. He is preceded in death by his daughters-in-law, Grace Collins, Lori Collins; grandchildren, Crystal and Daniel Collins; parents, Cager and Lottie Collins; brothers, Harland and Mardis Collins. Memorial contributions may be made to Warren County Habitat for Humanity in his name. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]