Clement J. Collins

Clement J. Collins, 75, Machesney Park, died at 2:25 AM, Thursday, September 25, 2008 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center.  Born March 25, 1933 in Danbury, IA, son of Daniel James and Katherine Meier Collins.  Graduate of Danbury High School and veteran of the of US Marine Corps.  Married Mary L. Boel in Rockford on September 3, 1960.  Employed by Elco Industries for32 years, retiring in 1993.  Member of St. Bridget Church.   Survivors include his wife, Mary; son, Robert (Barbara) Collins, West Allis, WI; daughter, Janet Collins, Machesney Park and son, Michael (Cindy) Collins, Frederick, CO; grandchildren, Jacob, Allison and Katie Collins.  Also survived by his brother, Jake (Donna) Collins, Apache Junction, AZ; sisters, Mary Alice Leon, LaCrescenta, CA, Celine (Bob) Poynor, San Angelo, TX and Laura (Larry) Rogge, Las  Vegas, NV; sisters-in-law, Elaine, Leona and Helen Collins; brothers-in-law, his good friend Kenneth Boel and David (Patricia) Boel both of Rockford; numerous beloved nieces and nephews and good friends Norman and Alice McNeal , Belvidere.  Predeceased by his parents; brothers, Lawrence, Eugene, Donald and Gerald Collins and his sister Fern Allen.  Clems family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Hoskins and his staff at OSF St. Anthony Center for Cancer Care and the staff  on 3- East at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center for all of their wonderful care.    A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30A.M. on Monday, September 29, 2008 at St. Bridget Catholic Church with Rev. Burt Absalon officiating.  Burial in Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation from 4-6P.M. Sunday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with a Rosary to be recited at 5:30P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rock River Valley Blood Center.  Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.