Joseph H. "Joe" Collins, age 82, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening August 15, 2004. Joe was born on June 15, 1922 to the late Elizabeth and John Collins in Hazelton, PA. He graduated from St. Gabriels's High School in Hazelton, PA. Joe married the former Gladys C. Knevel on June 29, 1949 in Minnesota. She preceded him in death on December 24, 1987. He graduated as a registered nurse from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, PA and completed pre-med studies at Notre Dame University before joining the maritime service of which he served 2 years on the USS Gypsom during WWII. Joseph then attended and graduated from Mayo Clinic with a Physical Therapy Degree and remained on staff as Clinical Instructor. Joe then was the Rehabilitation Coordinator at the Curative Workshop in Green Bay for nine years and then worked nine years at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh as Director of the Rehabilitation Center, before going into private practice with Brian Taugher, establishing Physical Therapy Associates of Oshkosh over 30 years ago, retiring in 1987. He was a longtime member of St. Peter Catholic Church, having been a communion distributor for over ten years and had served on both the parish council and prayer committee.
Survivors include two daughters, Jan Collins of Appleton and Carrie (Steve) Otto of Neenah; a son, Keith (Ann) Collins of Walled Lake, MI; a grandson, Christopher Collins of Detroit, MI; a brother, John Collins of Philadelphia, PA; three grand puppies, Sadie, Shelby and Rilee. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and special friend, Mae Christiansen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Joe on Saturday, August 21, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church 435 High Ave. with the Reverend Robert Kollath celebrating. Interment will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flower tributes, a memorial fund is being established in Joe s name. The Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels is assisting the family with arrangements.
Seefeld Funeral and
Cremation Services
www.seefeldfuneral.com
(920) 236-7750