Robert "Bob" Keith Collins

Robert “Bob” Keith Collins, age 88 of Savanna, Illinois, died Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the Alverno Health Care Facility, Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 11, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna with Father Dennis Atto as Celebrant. Burial will take place in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.
Bob was born January 21, 1927, the son of Michael and Barbara (Spudich) Collins on Oakton Road in Savanna, where he lived his whole life. He attended Savanna High School and graduated with the Class of 1944. Bob married Phyllis Oberheim on April 4, 1946. Phyllis died December 16, 1996, they celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Bob treasured hard work. In addition to working for the Milwaukee Railroad in Savanna, he farmed all his life. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where he was known as the Bell Ringer for many years. He enjoyed watching the grandkids grow up and attending their baseball games and wrestling matches. He loved playing euchre, and he would do anything for anybody.
Bob will be dearly missed by two sons, Robert and Scott Collins of Savanna; three daughters, Cathy (Dave) Miller of Savanna, Debbie (Dave) Cottral of Savanna and Penny Gharst; nine grandsons, Joseph and Booker Collins, Drew and Mark Miller, Max Cottral, Joshua, Joel, Michael and Patrick Gharst; three great-grandchildren, Sadie and Cora Collins, and Maverick Miller; one brother, William (Betty) Collins of Clinton, and one sister Mildred Shores of Savanna. He is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; his parents, Michael and Barbara; five sisters, and three brothers.