Edward Collins

Edward Louis Collins Jr. boldly left this world for a galaxy far away on May 24, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Alton Memorial Hospital, peacefully taking the Lord’s hand while surrounded by his beloved family. Ed was born on December 6, 1953, the first of three sons born to Estella H. (Cope) and Edward L. Collins Sr.

In his childhood, Ed attended schools in Alton, East Alton, and Wood River. He was put in advanced classes after teachers found they could not keep his quick-witted spirit challenged, leading to his being a year younger than his classmates throughout school. Ed graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1971, where he intentionally lowered his GPA just enough to dodge delivering the Valedictorian speech, only to find that the administration had decided the Salutatorian would also present a speech that year. He attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville before deciding to enter the workforce at Laclede Steel in Alton.

Through a lifelong friend of his father, Ed met and became enamored with a beautiful young lady, Velma Lair of Alton. He married this love of his life on October 26, 1973. She survives.

At Laclede Steel, Ed held various occupations, primarily as a crane mechanic, until his retirement in 2001. Not one to stay idle, he took a job with R&M using his mechanical knowledge repairing appliances, then returned to Alton Steel when it re-opened before finally retiring in 2011.

Ed’s passions included drag racing, hot rods, fishing, astronomy, movies, classic rock, his trucks, and above all else, his family. Ed rarely missed his children’s or grandchildren’s events. Although he was a Carrollton Hawk/St. John’s Redbird at heart, he had positive and encouraging words for all the kids attending, no matter the team.

In addition to his wife, Ed is survived by his two beloved daughters and sons-in-law: Angela (Jerrid) Custer and Ashley (Christopher) Mesey; Five grandchildren: Grace Custer, Orion Mesey, Maggie Custer, Finley Mesey, and Aurora Mesey, all residing in Carrollton, and three bonus grandchildren: Genesis, Faithlyn, and Gannon Booth. Ed is also survived by his youngest brother David (Kim) Collins of Alton; brother-in-law Alvin (Janie) Lair of Friendswood, Tx; sisters-in-law Debbie Hard of Moro, Loretta Wells of Chester, Linda Lair of Columbia, MO, and Diana Copley of Brighton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Leonard Collins, Parents-in-law Alma and Manuel Lair Sr., and brothers-in-law Manuel Lair Jr., Delmer Wells, and Kimball Copley.

A visitation will be held at Greenfield First Baptist Church, 1152 NE 575 St. Greenfield, IL, Saturday, May 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. with the funeral service immediately following. Interment will be at the Carrollton City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Carrollton Public Library at 509 S. Main Street, Carrollton, IL 62016. You may leave a memory or condolence at shields-bishopfh.com.