Rev. James E. Collins

COLLINS

Rev. James E. Collins left this world for his new home in heaven on October 19, 2023. He passed away peacefully at his residence surrounded by his two daughters.

James was born in Salyersville, Kentucky on November 24, 1929, to Beecher and Josie Collins. He began working in the coal mines when he was twelve years old, entertaining his fellow miners with songs as he worked. One day while walking he spied a young girl getting off the school bus and declared she was the prettiest girl in Kentucky and vowed to marry her someday. In 1951 he did just that and married his sweetheart, June. They celebrated 71 years together until her death last year.

James left Kentucky and came to Ohio to find work. He was employed by Westinghouse for many years and worked at Ballinger’s furniture store in London in the evenings. He served as pastor at the London Baptist Church for several years and performed many other roles there as well including handyman, lawn service, custodian, deacon, Sunday school teacher, song leader, and trustee. He was smart and could figure out a way to fix almost anything. Very competitive by nature, he loved euchre, rook, billiards, and softball. He umpired, pitched, and even played in the church league in his early 70’s. He LOVED the Kentucky Wildcats. In the summer he could be found in his garden, tinkering in his shed, or mowing his lawn while singing at the top of his lungs. He had tons of tools. If you needed one, he probably had it. Later in life he enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, computer rummy, watching westerns and Andy Griffith on TV. He was a great spiritual leader. His family looked up to him and often came to him for advice. His fondness for peanut butter and coconut crème pie was well known as was his aversion to pizza. After June’s death he acquired an Australian shepherd named Nila, who became his beloved companion.

Survivors include his daughters Judy Hoover, London, OH and Paula (Tim) Stonecipher of Supply, NC; grandchildren Jamie Rinehart, Mike Trapp, Chris Collins, Justin Collins, Jereme Collins, Jenna Garrett, Beau Brandenburg, Drew Brandenburg, Cole Brandenburg, and Chris Stonecipher; great-grandchildren Jasmine Rinehart, Kelsea Collins, Alison Collins, Jace Collins, Layla Collins, Miriam Collins, Colt Garrett, Case Garrett, Jocelyn Brandenburg, Benjamin Stonecipher, and June Brandenburg.

James was preceded in death by his wife June; son Dale; parents; sisters Eatha, Orpha, Helen, and Lois; brothers Rufus, Kenneth, Robert, and Roy; sons-in-law Gene Brandenburg and Junior Hoover.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the London Baptist Church, 1440 SR 665, London, Ohio 43140 with Dan Lowe officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Somerford Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of services.

If friends wish they make memorial contributions to the London Baptist Church.

The family is being served by the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 N. Main Street, London, Ohio, where online condolences may be shared at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. James E. Collins, please visit our floral store.