John R. Collins

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 year 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.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of the Dela-Ches Fishing Association. John enjoyed spending time with his friends, family and grandkids, going to the family cabin in Perry County and riding his motorcycle. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Retreads Motorcycle Club, Red Rose Riders, and the Hogs and Heroes PA Chapter 2. John had a lifelong passion for his family and his many friends and was a true role model of a humble generous man that gave from his heart each and every day.

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.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral Service for John at the Buch Funeral Home, 21 Market Square, Manheim, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 7:00 PM. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Those who wish to attend the interment service at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery should arrive promptly at the Buch Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 12:15 p.m. The procession will leave promptly for an interment service to begin at 1:30 PM at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in John’s memory to the Veterans Administration Medical Center Patient Care Fund, 1700 South Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042.