Loren Collins

CONVOY, Ohio - Loren W. "Woodie" Collins, 84, of Convoy, died at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, at Vancrest of Convoy in Convoy.

He was born Sept. 25, 1926, in Van Wert, Ohio, to the late Hattie E. (Taylor) Collins and Ray T. Collins. His first wife, Betty R. (Schaffner) Collins, died in 1994. His second wife, Vivian (Smith) Collins, died in 2009.

Survivors include a son, Jeff (Mary) Collins, Van Wert; several nieces and nephews; a sister, Shirley A. Collins, Van Wert, and a granddaughter, Natalie L. Collins, Van Wert.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Beatrice O. "Bea" Taylor and Myrtle I. Duff.

He retired from National Seal in Van Wert after 42 A½ years of service as a receiver clerk. He attended First United Brethren In Christ, Van Wert, was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II serving in Berlin and Helmstadt, Germany as a radio operator in the 78th Signal Company, a life member of the Van Wert V.F.W., a member of Van Wert County Genealogical Society Chapter, had reserve basketball seats at Crestview from 1960 to the present and was a member of the Silver Seals.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Harr will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Military graveside services will be conducted by the combined units of the Van Wert VFW & American Legion Posts.

Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7 at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are First United Brethren in Christ or Vancrest of Convoy.