Carl R. Collins

Born Sept. 21, 1936, in Lake City, Ark., the son of William C. and Hattie Colson Collins, he graduated from Carbondale Community High School with the Class of 1956.

He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict, enlisting on Dec. 5, 1957. He received his honorable discharge on March 13, 1963.

Carl married the love of his life, Evelyn L. Slater, on Nov. 26, 1960, in Morris.

He was employed with Caterpillar Tractor in Joliet for over 11 years and then was employed as a union carpenter for over 20 years, retiring in 2002. He enjoyed flying, creating items constructed from wood, camping, shooting, spending time visiting with his many friends and family, especially his grandchildren.
He was a proud member of Carpenters Union Local #916 in Aurora, Ill., Mazon Lodge #826 A.F. & A. M., and was associated with the M & M Potluck Group of the First Christian Church, 455 W. Southmor Road, Morris.

Surviving are his five loving children, Kimberly and her husband, Andrew, Paris of Sandwich, Ill.; William Collins of Morris; Theresa and her husband, Carl, Clubb of Onarga, Ill.; Donna and her husband, Douglas, Wakeman of rural Verona, Ill., and Rebecca and her husband, Willie, Jackson of Benton City, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one more on the way; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his loving wife, Evelyn, on Oct. 10, 1995.

Friends  may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris. Masonic services will be conducted by Mazon Lodge #826 A.F. & A.M.  at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, in the funeral home, with the Rev. Todd C. Thomson of the First Christian Church officiating. Interment with full military honors conducted by the Morris Color Guard will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Serving as his pallbearers will be William Collins, Carl, Kyle and Jacob Clubb, Andy Paris and Fred Reiman III.