Jerry Maynard "Jed" Collins (80) of Yale

Jerry Maynard “Jed” Collins, age 80, of Yale, Illinois, passed away at 3:28 PM Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

The family will greet people with a drive by visitation from 1:00-2:00 PM Monday, May 4 at the Cummins Church 17201 North 1575th Street Yale, Illinois 62481. Private family services will be held, with burial in the Hunt Cemetery in rural Yale, Illinois. In loving memory of Jerry, memorials may be made to the Cummins Church or the Newton High School Softball and can be mailed to the family at 15567 East 1800th Avenue Yale, Illinois 62481. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home – Bishop Chapel in Greenup, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here. 

Jerry Maynard Collins “Jed” was born on March 27,1940, in Olney, Illinois, the son of Clyde Maynard and Louise E. (Romack) Collins. He was raised on his family‘s farm west of Rose Hill, Illinois. It was during these early days that he grew to love God’s good earth. He graduated from Newton Community High School in 1958, where he was a standout athlete, even being recruited as a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Jerry attended the University of Illinois on a R.O.T.C. scholarship. He came back to Jasper County and for the next 60 years grain farmed and raised livestock. He especially enjoyed raising and caring for his herd of cattle. Up until his passing, he was actively farming. In addition to farming, he worked as a maintainer for the Department of Transportation for 22 years.

Jerry married Mary Lorraine Talkington on October 30, 1978, and she survives.

Jerry was active in the Republican Party and never missed the opportunity to vote: a trait which he passed onto his children. He was elected and served as a Precinct Committeeman and Supervisor of the Crooked Creek Township.

Jerry was passionate about gardening especially planting flowers, and his favorite flowers were tulips. He was known throughout the area for his sweet corn. Each Spring you could find him in the woods hunting mushrooms and each Summer picking wild berries. He enjoyed quail and squirrel hunting and a cold beer on a hot summer day. He loved music and entertaining family and friends. His favorite music was polka and favorite artist was Roy Orbison.

Like his parents, grandparents and great grandparents before him, he was a lifelong member of the Cummins Church in Rose Hill. He joins his son John Michael and parents Louise and Maynard Collins in Heaven.

Jerry will be deeply missed by his wife of 41 years Lorraine Collins, and 7 children: Jerri Lynn (Mike) Collins, Jama Crow, Jenny (Ted) Gianaris, John (Laura) Collins, Sara (Mike) Williams, Levi (Libby) Collins, Rebecca (Andrew) Calloway, sister Linda Collins-Randazzo, brother Pat Collins, 23 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was definitely the life of the party.