Bruce Collins

Bruce Donald Collins, 88, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2020, with his family at his side. Bruce was born on April 8, 1931 in Oconto, WI, son of Donald and Wilma (Stanton) Collins. Graduate of Appleton High School. Received his bachelor’s degree from UW Madison in 1953. Bruce served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953 -1955 stationed in Columbus Ohio as an auditor where he says he fought the war with a pencil. Married Jo Ann Long on Sept. 5, 1953. Bruce was employed by several companies over the years and loved to tell stories from his work. He was longest employed for 25 years with Dixon Automatic Tool, Rockford, where he was the Vice President of Finance; retiring in 1996. Always humble, when asked what he did for a living, he would simply say he was a bookkeeper. Bruce was an extremely patient and kind man who never got angry and always had a smile for everyone. Bruce was formerly a member of St. Peter’s Cathedral where he was in the choir and bridge club with his wife, JoAnn. He was very involved in his children’s lives and enjoyed attending all their sporting and school events. Bruce loved to take the family up to northern WI for summer vacation every year. He was an excellent pool player and was an avid Packers and Badgers fan. He loved his grandkids very much and spent as much time with them as he could, spoiling them rotten. Bruce is survived by his children Jeff (Barb Hoffman) Collins of Spokane, WA; Jackie Benzel of Roscoe, IL; Steve (Anna) Collins of Azusa, CA; Tim (Veronica) Collins of Normal, IL; Katie (Mike) Lang of Rockford, IL; Charlie Collins of Rockford; 19 grandchildren: Courtney, Andrew, Jon, Beth, Laura, Caroline, Rob, Kim, Stephanie, Sarah, Becky, Rachel, Ben, Nick, Hannah, Natalie, Mandie, Shaun, and Tim; 4 great-grandchildren; brother Norm Collins of CA, numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn, parents, and siblings: Tom Collins, Helen Mae Wolfert, Judy Schuth, and son-in-law Bill Benzel. Celebration of Life will be Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 11am at First Evangelical Free Church, 2223 North Mulford, Rockford. Visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Stateline Cremation Services is assisting the family.