Keith E. Collins Obituary (1932 - 2013)

Keith E. Collins, 81, Normal, formerly of Pontiac, Saunemin and Fairbury, died at 12:58 p.m. Thursday (June 27, 2013) at Evenglow Lodge Tjardes Health Center, Pontiac. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1617 E. Emerson St., Bloomington, with the Rev. Christine McNeal officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. He was born Jan. 24, 1932, in Pontiac, son of Gordon and Pheobe Jacobs Collins. He married Betty Maurer on March 31, 1979. She survives in Normal. He was previously married to Tish Lannon who passed away on Feb. 4, 1994. He is also survived by sons, Rick (Linda) Collins, Pontiac; Michael (Brenda) Collins, Morris; and Doug Collins, Peoria; daughters, Brenda (Joe) Schillaci, Catawba, S.C., and Paula (Mark) Pritchard, Lexington; stepchildren, Doug (Vicki) Maurer, Bloomington; Steve (Donna) Maurer, Cropsey; Rick Maurer, Normal; and Pam (Tom) Randinelli, Bloomington; brother, Duane Collins, Odell; sisters, Dolores Kane, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Sandra (Dick) Degenhart, Pontiac; and Linda Rogers, Fort Myers, Fla.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; 11 step grandchildren; and 10 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one step granddaughter, Jenny Maurer; and one nephew, Todd Collins. He was educated in Grove School, rural Pontiac, and graduated from Pontiac Township High School. Keith owned and operated the Saunemin Standard Station and was a truck driver for many years. He was also a master woodworker. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to Evenglow Lodge, 215 E. Washington St. Pontiac, IL 61764 or to St. John's Lutheran Church, Bloomington. Special thanks to the staff at Evenglow for the wonderful, loving and compassionate care you provided to "PITA."