Obituary of John C. Collins

John C. Collins, age 91 of Lewiston, died Wednesday September 29, 2010 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, after a brief illness. John was born June 10, 1919 in Johnstown, PA, the son of the late William R. and Myrtle (Coolbaugh) Collins. An U.S. Army veteran of WW II, he served from 1942 to his honorable discharge in 1945. John was a radioman with the HQ Detachment 927 Signal Battalion, taking part in the Central Europe, Northern France, Rhineland, Rome-Arno, and Southern France Campaigns. He was the recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the American Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WW II Victory Medal. John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 1953 as an Airman and served at the Niagara Falls AF Missile Site and with the 914th. He was transferred to the U.S. Air Force Retired Reserve in 1976 with the rank of Technical Sergeant and officially retired in 1979. On November 10,1943 he married May M. (Mitchell) Collins in Hamilton, Ontario. May predeceased him in 2004. John retired in 1981 from the Maintenance Department of Nabisco Shredded Wheat in Niagara Falls where he was employed for 40 years. He was a member of the Nabisco Retiree's Club, the 914th U.S. Air Force Assoc., and the Lewiston Senior Center where he enjoyed luncheons and playing bingo. John also enjoyed the sport of Archery and was a member of the 7 Clan Bowman Club. He loved traveling with his wife of 60 years, especially to Las Vegas. He is survived by two daughters, Valerie (Daniel) Gilliam of Lewiston and Carol Ann (Karl) Tiede of Youngstown; his grandchildren, Deanna (Joseph) White, Suzanne (James) Hutchinson, Eric (Amy) Tiede, Brett Tiede, Dana (Charles) Dunn, Thomas, Kimberly, and Michele Tiede; his great grandchildren, Katelin, Matthew, Courtney, Charles, Bianca, and Payton; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Mildred Skimin and a great grandson, James Daniel Hutchinson. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 2, at 10:00 AM in the HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston, with the Rev. John Timmerman officiating. There will be no prior visitation. Burial with Military Honors will be in Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Women's & Children's Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, 219 Bryant St., Buffalo, NY 14222.