JERSEYVILLE - Michael “Mike” Collins, also known as “Bear” and “Slim”, 65, lost his valiant battle against metastatic bladder cancer on April 18, 2024, with his family by his side. He was born in Alton, Illinois on July 23, 1958, the sixth born child to David “Doc” Collins and Roberta “Bettie” (Young) Collins.
Mike grew up on the Collins farm with his six siblings and enjoyed the chaotic life of a large family. Being one of the youngest, meant he had to figure out how to endure the older brothers and sisters which may be why he became so easy going and easy to get along with. Mike was one of the kindest people you would ever meet. And in his younger years, he was the life of the party.
At the age of 18, he became a union member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 and continued to stay with them until his retirement in 2018. While a member of the union, he worked for several companies, ending his career with GRP stating that it was “the best place to work”.
He married the former Connie Kuehnel on September 24, 1982 and together they were the proud parents of their only child, Marci.
Following his retirement, traveling became a hobby of Mike’s. Along with Connie and Marci, they traveled to many places throughout the United States, most recently Gettysburg, Washington D.C., Philly and Pittsburgh. Mike and Connie also enjoyed their daily roadtrips to sightsee.
As a younger man, Mike enjoyed playing pool and golfing. Later years, he enjoyed these activities on the Wii. You could always catch him watching football, baseball, WWE or anything on TVLand. Marci and Mike were huge fans of baseball and football. Within their travels, they decided to see as many stadiums as possible, attending games at 4 MLB Stadiums and 3 NFL Stadiums. Marci will continue this tradition, in honor of Mike.
He is survived by his wife and daughter; His siblings, Pamela Heitzig, Sue (Tom) Raftis, David (Kim) Collins, John (Lisa) Collins; and Doc's wife, Barbara Collins of Jerseyville; as well as several nieces and nephews whom he treated like they were his own. He had an extra special bond with Joseph and Haleigh Randolph and Scarlett Byrd.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers Terry and Jim Collins.
Visitation will be at Crawford Funeral Home Friday April 26 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, April 27 9-10 a.m. with a funeral mass immediately following at St. Francis Xavier Church. There will be a private burial for family only. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following at the Knights of Columbus in Jerseyville.
The family wishes to set up a scholarship in memory of Mike, to be used for a trade school with a preference to welding, which Mike had such a passion for. Memorials can be made to the family for this fund.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mike "Bear" "Slim" Collins, please visit our floral store.
