Collins, John R.

John R. Collins

February 11, 1949 — May 18, 2016

John R. Collins, 67, of Manheim, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at the Lebanon Veterans Administration Medical Center. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Paul and Jean Royer Collins. He was the loving husband of Jo Anne Nauman Collins, and they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in March. John served in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and participated in the Battle of Khe Sanh. He was a Purple Heart recipient and a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

For over 30 years he was employed by Fenner Drives in Manheim. A father figure for many, he was active with the Big Brothers Program and a coach for the Manheim Youth Baseball League. John was a member of the Manheim Athletic Association and for many years was a baseball official and wrestling referee. For many years John played in numerous “Country Music Bands” throughout Lancaster County.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Jo Anne, is a son, Jonathan married to Shannon Collins, Manheim; a daughter, Angela, married to Shane Barber, Lancaster, five grandchildren: Damon married to Shannon Collins, Chance Barber, Kadance, John, and Alexandria Collins, one great grandson, Jaren Collins; four brothers: Barry, married to Jane Collins, Bloomington, IN, Gary married to Cindy Collins, Elizabethtown, James, married to Kathy Collins, Elizabethtown, and Jeff married to Diane Collins, Ephrata, and a sister, Nyla Collins married to Tina Cunrad. He is preceded in death by a grandson, Austin Barber.