On Monday, December 5, 2005, our father, Raymond H. Collins, went home to spend Christmas with the Lord and with those he loved and missed. Dad was born in Omro on July 23, 1924 to Harry and Mildred (Zellmer) Collins. He was educated in the Omro Schools and enlisted in the Navy during World War II. On August 17, he married Betty Jayne Dickie. Dad worked at many jobs during his life. He was a school bus driver for the Omro and Utica Schools; he drove milk truck and semi; worked for Kampo Transit, Neenah; Griese & Ross, Inc. and the Winnebago County Highway Department. In later years, he was again employed with Winnebago County at their Landfill Site where he remained until his retirement.

Most of Dad's life was spent in the Omro area. He was a member of the Town of Omro/Rushford Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years and served as Treasurer for many of those years. He had also been a Supervisor for the Town of Omro. Dad was the first Fire Chief for the Town of Utica Volunteer Fire Department and was instrumental in the construction of their first firehouse

He so enjoyed gallivanting in his truck and thought nothing of driving to Poy Sippi for a piece of pie. He missed not being able to take his yearly trek to Colorado.

Our Dad was a quiet, gentle man with an unforgettable sense of humor. He never let his handicap get him down and never complained. He accomplished more with one arm and one eye than many men even attempt without a handicap. He was a real source of inspiration for never giving up.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his son, Michael; his parents; and a brother, Earl.

He will be missed by his son, Robert (Pam) Collins and his three daughters; Karen (Michael) Behm, Carol (Richard) Egger and Lori (Robert) Fulmer. He was Pia to his 12 grandchildren, Andrew & Adam Collins; Erin (John) Borisch, Megan, Shannon, Keelyn & Michael Behm; Douglas Larsen, Peggy (Jeffrey) Howard, Marnee (Gary) Wolfrath; Kelsey & Gretchen Fulmer; and 2 great-granddaughters Emily Howard and Nora Borsich. A brother, Lloyd (Elaine) Collins and a sister, Phyllis Ostwald, both of Omro, also survive Dad.

Services will be held at Kwiatkowski Funeral Home, Omro with visitation from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 7, 2005 and then again on Thursday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Joe Grier officiating. Burial will follow in the Ellenwood Cemetery in Oshkosh.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being set up in Dad's memory and in his name.

We, Ray's family, wish to extend our thanks to the caregivers at Omro Care Center. Their compassion and professionalism were much appreciated and very depended upon.