Alfred “Joe” Collins, 85, of Holton, KS passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at The Pines in Holton. He was born August 27, 1930 in Welch, OK the son of Dewey and Emma Augusta (Bradbury) Collins.

Joe graduated from Hoyt High School in 1949. He proudly served in the United States Army in Europe during the Korean Conflict, from 1953 -1954.

Joe and his wife, Lee, started Collins Truck Line in 1956; hauling cattle, hay, logs and grain. In 1976, they opened Collins Pipe and Welding; which is in full operation today.

He was a charter member of Holton Optimist Club, American Legion Post 44 and former member of Jackson County Sherriff Posse from 1974 – 1986.

Joe married Lee Anna Kern on February 17, 1956 in Topeka, KS. She survives of the home. Other survivors include 3 daughters, Connie Whorton (Rex), Vicki Bontrager (Mark) and Debbie Patch (Travis) all of Holton, KS; 2 sisters, Wauneta Robertson of Topeka, KS and Belva Miffleton of Schertz, TX; 3 brothers, Don Collins of Holton, KS, George Collins of Sun Land, CA and Truman Collins of Topeka, KS; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Danny Joe Collins; 5 sisters, Lucille Wood, Judy Copenhefer, Helen Collins, Betty Vickrey and Glenda Stenger and a brother, Ted Collins.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. Memorials may be given to the Holton Community Hospital Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.