John Leland Collins, 85

On Feb. 3, 2010, John Leland Collins of Whitefish, joined his loving wife, Phyllis, after battling lung disease for several years. Jack, as he was known to family members, was born July 4, 1924, in Orange, Calif., the eighth of nine children, to John Andrew and Mattie Jane (Gill) Collins. His childhood years were spent in western Colorado, particularly in Montrose, Delta and Telluride. The family moved to Oregon in 1941 after the death of his father. In December 1941, John enlisted in the Navy and served on the oiler Brazos and the destroyers Brown and Porter. After his discharge in Oct. 1945, Jack went to Portland and began the process of his lifelong career in sheet metal. He was a member of Sheet Metal Workers International Local 16. In Portland he met the love of his life, Phyllis Jeanne Wegener, and they were married July 17, 1949. They raised their four children in Portland. When retirement came in 1986, the planning began for a move to Montana. In 1987, he and Phyllis moved to Whitefish to be closer to family. In 2007 John made the move to The Springs Assisted Living Apartments. There he enjoyed doing what he did best " storytelling. He was kind and courteous to all he met, and he faced his challenges in life with courage and conviction. John was preceded in death by his wife, in 2000; his son, the Rev. Michael Leroy Collins, in 1984; his parents; and all of his siblings, Roy, Ila, Dorothy, Dean, Lucille, Hazel, Bob and Helen. He is survived by his son, Patrick, and partner, Lyle Law, of San Francisco; his son, Randall, and wife, Gayle, of Kalispell; his daughter, the Rev. Marcie Collins, of John Day, Ore; and his granddaughter, Kerra Jean Collins, of Kalispell. Although there will be no service, the family suggests any memorials be made to the AIDS Foundation, Diabetes Foundation, the Montana Veterans Home, or Veterans Food Bank.