Francis "Gene" Collins

Francis “Gene” Collins, 88, of DeSoto, passed away Friday, July 1, 2022, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Pastor Alan Kornacki Jr. officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Gene was born October 19, 1933, in Jackson County, Illinois, to Leo C. and Beulah M. (Crowell) Collins. He married Wanda Louise Craig and together they had three children: Vicki, Michael, and David. She preceded him in death. He later married Margaret Hedger on July 25, 1998, in Williamson County, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Collins of DeSoto; children, Vicki (Allen) Geistdorfer of DeSoto, Michael (Pam) Collins of DeSoto, David Collins (Christopher Schultz) of Champaign, Krystal (Greg) Pearce of Carterville, and Jenny York-Walker of Cambria; grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Barnes, Julie (Mike) Hertz, Jarrod (Dorie) Geistdorfer, Christopher Collins, Hayley (Aaron) Jannings, William Pearce, Isabelle Pearce, Emma Walker, and Madilynn Walker; 8 great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Wanda Collins; and sister, Roseann Hughes.

He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in DuQuoin.

He retired in 1995, after more than 27 years as a coal miner at Old Ben 26. Gene never shied away from work and could fix just about anything. His latest projects included making fiddles.

Gene was a true outdoorsman who loved going hunting and fishing. He enjoyed working in his garden and riding his motorcycle.

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