Robert Nelson Collins, 80, of Oak, Grove, Missouri, formerly of Lowry City, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, Missouri. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2022 at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be left to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Robert was born February 8, 1942 in Milan, Missouri to Raymond J. and Luceil (Olmstead) Collins. During his Senior year of high school, he began working for Montgomery Ward until 1961, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1963, while stationed in California he met and married his wife of 56 years, Mary. Robert was deployed to many overseas locations, including time in Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning to the states, he was stationed in New Mexico where he received an Honorable Discharge in May 1969. Robert and family moved back to Missouri, finally settling in Oak Grove, where he returned to work for Montgomery Ward. In 1972, Robert began his 26-year career with the U.S. Post Office. Robert held various positions until 1992, when he and Mary moved to Lowry City MO, when he became Postmaster at the Montrose MO Post Office. Robert retired in 1998. After enjoying many adventures, Robert & Mary moved back to Oak Grove where they lived until Mary’s passing in April 2020. Robert was a loving husband and father and always like to make people laugh and smile. Some of his favorite activities included hunting, fishing, traveling, spending time with his family, and most recently, painting pictures on his tablet.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of 56 years, Mary Collins in April 2020; daughter, Miranda; and brothers: Larry Collins and Walter Collins.
Robert is survived by his three children: daughter, Tina Ayers (Doug) of Mooresville. IN; son, Robert Collins (Dawn) of Blue Springs, MO; daughter, Melanie Wade (Terry) of Warsaw, MO; sister, Cheryl Powell of Kansas City, MO; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441