Sad news! I received a phone call this afternoon (7/31/2010) from Joyce Collette Lambert that Joe Collins had passed away today.  He was at his daughter's in Tongonoxie and collapsed while they were out for a walk.  He had paid to come to the alumni reunion but forgot thinking it was the next weekend.

Janet

JOSEPH (JOE) L. COLLINS SR.

Concordia Blade 8/2/2010

Joseph “Joe” L. Collins Sr., 64, Concordia, died July 31, 2010, at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.
He was born April 6, 1946, at Concordia, Kan. to Leslie F. and Margaret M. (Tatro) Collins. Joe  graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He married Valetta “Lou” Bergstrom on May 14, 1966, in Concordia, Kan. She survives of the home. He went to work for the Cloud County Highway Department on Oct. 23, 1967, as a road grader operator, a position he held for the past 43 years. He also has worked for Bud Hefner farms for the past 43 years. Joe was a life member of the VFW Post #588 and the American Legion Post #76. He was a member of the Cloud County National Wild Turkey Federation.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Joseph Collins Jr. (Tracy) and Micheal Collins, all of Concordia; a daughter, Julie Palmer (Mike) of Tonganoxie; his stepfather, Willard Mettler of Clay Center, Neb.; two brothers, Victor Collins and Charles Collins (Sue), all of Concordia; grandchildren, Breann Johnson, Cameron Collins, Riley, Jace and Brek Palmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia, with the Rev. Larry Letourneau officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia, with military honors by American Legion Post #76 and VFW Post #588.
Memorials may be made to the Joseph Collins Sr. Memorial Fund. Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Chaput-Buoy Funeral home, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, KS 66901. For information or to send condolences, visit www.chaputbuoy.com.