Raymond Leonard Collins, 85, of Scranton, IA, died May 7, 2016, in Scottsdale, AZ. On Saturday, May 21, the family will greet friends at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson beginning at 1 pm, with a funeral liturgy service at 3 pm. Father Don Reis and Father Clair Boes will be celebrants. Interment will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery, Scranton. Following the committal at the cemetery, friends and family are invited for food, drinks, and conversation at the Collins family farm.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the Greene County Fair Capital Project, the Ralston Volunteer Fire Department, or Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Raymond Leonard Collins was born March 19, 1931, to parents Maurice and Rose (McCoy) Collins of Lohrville. He graduated from Lohrville High School in 1949. He married Ardys Boes of Breda on Nov. 10, 1953, and moved to the farm in Greene County. There, they raised four children: Anthony, Elizabeth, Jennifer, and Melissa.
Ray was a lifelong farmer, always expanding business through raising various crops and livestock as well as installing center pivot irrigation systems in the 1980s. He was recognized as Greene County Outstanding Young Farmer and the recipient of Master Corn Growers recognition.
Through the years he was active with 4-H clubs, a member of the Scranton Telephone board, Ralston volunteer fire department, and St. Paul Catholic Church. He enjoyed woodworking from his own furniture designs, especially as a gift to others. Ray was a great storyteller and loved learning, often relating history to current events.
He enjoyed taking the family on yearly vacations and especially adventures to Ireland, Brazil and the Masters golf tournament in his later years. Piloting his plane and driving a great car were points of pride and joy. Ray also liked treating family and friends with original “Just A Note To Let You Know” poems. Golfing and playing poker were favorite forms of entertainment.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ardys; son, Anthony (Tony); brothers Francis and Richard, and son-in-law, Michael Thompson.
Ray is survived by daughters Elizabeth Collins of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Jennifer (Matthew) Taylor of Scottsdale, AZ; and Melissa Thompson of Palm Coast, FL; grandchildren Emily Taylor of Phoenix, AZ; Adam Taylor of Porto Alegre, Brazil; and Anthony Taylor, of Brooklyn, NY; as well as one brother, Jack (Shirley) Collins of Rockwell City, Iowa.
The family is very grateful for Ray’s extended family and friends that have loved and supported him over the years.
