Edgar Isaac Collins, 90, of Parkersburg, a faithful servant of the Lord, was called home on Sept. 11, 2015.
Ed was an extraordinary man. He was born June 10, 1925, at Enterprise, Harrison County, to Charles W. and Nellie (McIntire) Collins. As a young child on Laurel Run, he worked on his nearby grandparents' farm and grist mill. At age 10, due to his father's poor eyesight and hard time finding a job, he became the family breadwinner, earning about $2 a day for carrying both Clarksburg papers, before and after school, to more than 100 customers. He started driving a school bus when he turned 15.
Ed joined the Navy in 1943. He was assigned as baker on the new tanker USS Kennebago, which engaged in six major battles in the South Pacific. After the war, he pledged his life to the Lord and went to Akron, Ohio, to marry Ruth V. Arnett, his childhood sweetheart who was working then at the rubber plant. Shortly after their wedding on July 10, 1946, the newlyweds struck out for the West Coast, where Ed enrolled in the Samuel Gompers' trade school to become a master carpenter. Ruth became pregnant the following year and they decided to return to Laurel Run to start their family.
In 1958, after working for lumber companies in Shinnston and Clarksburg, Ed decided to move his growing family to Vienna, where there was a great demand for single-family homes. He got a job with builder Claude Dobbins and in 1962, he lit out on his own. He built about a dozen houses in Vienna and eight homes in the new Bethel Heights development off Washington Road. He served as president of the Mid-Ohio Valley Builders' Association. In 1972 the Pease Company invited Ed to become its distributor of building materials in the Parkersburg area. He accepted the pilot-program challenge and with Ruth's help, set up Collins Building Products in a rented building in Belpre. Four years later, he constructed a business store on Washington Boulevard, and built a house next door for his family. The Pease pact proved very successful, and Ed and Ruth decided to sell the business in 1981.
Ever curious, Ed wanted to see more of the world. He and Ruth had gone to Italy twice to see and help daughter Rosemary and her husband Steve Poyet, who were missionaries there. Now, they bought an RV and set out on several extended trips across the U.S. and Canada. They also traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. He went to the Ukraine to spread the Gospel. Between trips, Ed built homes for friends and dabbled in pottery, basket making, and other pursuits, including teaching a 55 Alive driving course for AARP in 13 West Virginia counties. He and Ruth were members of Camden Avenue Church of Christ.
By 2000, with Ruth's increasingly poor health, Ed decided to stick close to home. They enjoyed the holidays and playing cards and games with family and friends. Ruth died in 2003. They had 57 good years together.
In 2004, Ed married a close family friend and widow, Joann Newberry Kirby. They loved to travel and, at home, cooked and canned together and dedicated themselves to helping others. They had seven wonderful years before Jo died in 2011.
He is survived by his children, Sandi Collins of Parkersburg, Rosemary Poyet (Steve) of Charleston, W.Va., Ruth Ann Collins of Parkersburg and Richard Collins (Teresa) of Belpre, Ohio; his stepsons, Rod Kirby of Indianapolis, Ind., and Bob Kirby of Parkersburg; his 5 grandchildren; his 5 step grandchildren; his 7 great grandchildren; his 8 step great grandchildren; one brother, Jarvis L. Collins of Cannonsburg, Pa.; and one sister, Joann Dawson of Fairmont, W.Va.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth V. Arnett Collins; his second wife, Joann Newberry Kirby Collins; and one brother, Charles L. Collins.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Camden Avenue Church of Christ in Parkersburg with Evangelist Steve Poyet and Evangelist Dana Slingluff officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memory Gardens Mausoleum with full military rites by American Legion Post 15.
September 14, 2015
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Ed was an extraordinary man. He was born June 10, 1925, at Enterprise, Harrison County, to Charles W. and Nellie (McIntire) Collins. As a young child on Laurel Run, he worked on his nearby grandparents' farm and grist mill. At age 10, due to his father's poor eyesight and hard time finding a job, he became the family breadwinner, earning about $2 a day for carrying both Clarksburg papers, before and after school, to more than 100 customers. He started driving a school bus when he turned 15.
Ed joined the Navy in 1943. He was assigned as baker on the new tanker USS Kennebago, which engaged in six major battles in the South Pacific. After the war, he pledged his life to the Lord and went to Akron, Ohio, to marry Ruth V. Arnett, his childhood sweetheart who was working then at the rubber plant. Shortly after their wedding on July 10, 1946, the newlyweds struck out for the West Coast, where Ed enrolled in the Samuel Gompers' trade school to become a master carpenter. Ruth became pregnant the following year and they decided to return to Laurel Run to start their family.
In 1958, after working for lumber companies in Shinnston and Clarksburg, Ed decided to move his growing family to Vienna, where there was a great demand for single-family homes. He got a job with builder Claude Dobbins and in 1962, he lit out on his own. He built about a dozen houses in Vienna and eight homes in the new Bethel Heights development off Washington Road. He served as president of the Mid-Ohio Valley Builders' Association. In 1972 the Pease Company invited Ed to become its distributor of building materials in the Parkersburg area. He accepted the pilot-program challenge and with Ruth's help, set up Collins Building Products in a rented building in Belpre. Four years later, he constructed a business store on Washington Boulevard, and built a house next door for his family. The Pease pact proved very successful, and Ed and Ruth decided to sell the business in 1981.
Ever curious, Ed wanted to see more of the world. He and Ruth had gone to Italy twice to see and help daughter Rosemary and her husband Steve Poyet, who were missionaries there. Now, they bought an RV and set out on several extended trips across the U.S. and Canada. They also traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. He went to the Ukraine to spread the Gospel. Between trips, Ed built homes for friends and dabbled in pottery, basket making, and other pursuits, including teaching a 55 Alive driving course for AARP in 13 West Virginia counties. He and Ruth were members of Camden Avenue Church of Christ.
By 2000, with Ruth's increasingly poor health, Ed decided to stick close to home. They enjoyed the holidays and playing cards and games with family and friends. Ruth died in 2003. They had 57 good years together.
In 2004, Ed married a close family friend and widow, Joann Newberry Kirby. They loved to travel and, at home, cooked and canned together and dedicated themselves to helping others. They had seven wonderful years before Jo died in 2011.
He is survived by his children, Sandi Collins of Parkersburg, Rosemary Poyet (Steve) of Charleston, W.Va., Ruth Ann Collins of Parkersburg and Richard Collins (Teresa) of Belpre, Ohio; his stepsons, Rod Kirby of Indianapolis, Ind., and Bob Kirby of Parkersburg; his 5 grandchildren; his 5 step grandchildren; his 7 great grandchildren; his 8 step great grandchildren; one brother, Jarvis L. Collins of Cannonsburg, Pa.; and one sister, Joann Dawson of Fairmont, W.Va.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth V. Arnett Collins; his second wife, Joann Newberry Kirby Collins; and one brother, Charles L. Collins.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Camden Avenue Church of Christ in Parkersburg with Evangelist Steve Poyet and Evangelist Dana Slingluff officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memory Gardens Mausoleum with full military rites by American Legion Post 15.
September 14, 2015
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Edgar Isaac Collins, 90, of Parkersburg, a faithful servant of the Lord, was called home on Sept. 11, 2015.
Ed was an extraordinary man. He was born June 10, 1925, at Enterprise, Harrison County, to Charles W. and Nellie (McIntire) Collins. As a young child on Laurel Run, he worked on his nearby grandparents' farm and grist mill. At age 10, due to his father's poor eyesight and hard time finding a job, he became the family breadwinner, earning about $2 a day for carrying both Clarksburg papers, before and after school, to more than 100 customers. He started driving a school bus when he turned 15.
Ed joined the Navy in 1943. He was assigned as baker on the new tanker USS Kennebago, which engaged in six major battles in the South Pacific. After the war, he pledged his life to the Lord and went to Akron, Ohio, to marry Ruth V. Arnett, his childhood sweetheart who was working then at the rubber plant. Shortly after their wedding on July 10, 1946, the newlyweds struck out for the West Coast, where Ed enrolled in the Samuel Gompers' trade school to become a master carpenter. Ruth became pregnant the following year and they decided to return to Laurel Run to start their family.
In 1958, after working for lumber companies in Shinnston and Clarksburg, Ed decided to move his growing family to Vienna, where there was a great demand for single-family homes. He got a job with builder Claude Dobbins and in 1962, he lit out on his own. He built about a dozen houses in Vienna and eight homes in the new Bethel Heights development off Washington Road. He served as president of the Mid-Ohio Valley Builders' Association. In 1972 the Pease Company invited Ed to become its distributor of building materials in the Parkersburg area. He accepted the pilot-program challenge and with Ruth's help, set up Collins Building Products in a rented building in Belpre. Four years later, he constructed a business store on Washington Boulevard, and built a house next door for his family. The Pease pact proved very successful, and Ed and Ruth decided to sell the business in 1981.
Ever curious, Ed wanted to see more of the world. He and Ruth had gone to Italy twice to see and help daughter Rosemary and her husband Steve Poyet, who were missionaries there. Now, they bought an RV and set out on several extended trips across the U.S. and Canada. They also traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. He went to the Ukraine to spread the Gospel. Between trips, Ed built homes for friends and dabbled in pottery, basket making, and other pursuits, including teaching a 55 Alive driving course for AARP in 13 West Virginia counties. He and Ruth were members of Camden Avenue Church of Christ.
By 2000, with Ruth's increasingly poor health, Ed decided to stick close to home. They enjoyed the holidays and playing cards and games with family and friends. Ruth died in 2003. They had 57 good years together.
In 2004, Ed married a close family friend and widow, Joann Newberry Kirby. They loved to travel and, at home, cooked and canned together and dedicated themselves to helping others. They had seven wonderful years before Jo died in 2011.
He is survived by his children, Sandi Collins of Parkersburg, Rosemary Poyet (Steve) of Charleston, W.Va., Ruth Ann Collins of Parkersburg and Richard Collins (Teresa) of Belpre, Ohio; his stepsons, Rod Kirby of Indianapolis, Ind., and Bob Kirby of Parkersburg; his 5 grandchildren; his 5 step grandchildren; his 7 great grandchildren; his 8 step great grandchildren; one brother, Jarvis L. Collins of Cannonsburg, Pa.; and one sister, Joann Dawson of Fairmont, W.Va.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth V. Arnett Collins; his second wife, Joann Newberry Kirby Collins; and one brother, Charles L. Collins.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Camden Avenue Church of Christ in Parkersburg with Evangelist Steve Poyet and Evangelist Dana Slingluff officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memory Gardens Mausoleum with full military rites by American Legion Post 15.
September 14, 2015
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Ed was an extraordinary man. He was born June 10, 1925, at Enterprise, Harrison County, to Charles W. and Nellie (McIntire) Collins. As a young child on Laurel Run, he worked on his nearby grandparents' farm and grist mill. At age 10, due to his father's poor eyesight and hard time finding a job, he became the family breadwinner, earning about $2 a day for carrying both Clarksburg papers, before and after school, to more than 100 customers. He started driving a school bus when he turned 15.
Ed joined the Navy in 1943. He was assigned as baker on the new tanker USS Kennebago, which engaged in six major battles in the South Pacific. After the war, he pledged his life to the Lord and went to Akron, Ohio, to marry Ruth V. Arnett, his childhood sweetheart who was working then at the rubber plant. Shortly after their wedding on July 10, 1946, the newlyweds struck out for the West Coast, where Ed enrolled in the Samuel Gompers' trade school to become a master carpenter. Ruth became pregnant the following year and they decided to return to Laurel Run to start their family.
In 1958, after working for lumber companies in Shinnston and Clarksburg, Ed decided to move his growing family to Vienna, where there was a great demand for single-family homes. He got a job with builder Claude Dobbins and in 1962, he lit out on his own. He built about a dozen houses in Vienna and eight homes in the new Bethel Heights development off Washington Road. He served as president of the Mid-Ohio Valley Builders' Association. In 1972 the Pease Company invited Ed to become its distributor of building materials in the Parkersburg area. He accepted the pilot-program challenge and with Ruth's help, set up Collins Building Products in a rented building in Belpre. Four years later, he constructed a business store on Washington Boulevard, and built a house next door for his family. The Pease pact proved very successful, and Ed and Ruth decided to sell the business in 1981.
Ever curious, Ed wanted to see more of the world. He and Ruth had gone to Italy twice to see and help daughter Rosemary and her husband Steve Poyet, who were missionaries there. Now, they bought an RV and set out on several extended trips across the U.S. and Canada. They also traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. He went to the Ukraine to spread the Gospel. Between trips, Ed built homes for friends and dabbled in pottery, basket making, and other pursuits, including teaching a 55 Alive driving course for AARP in 13 West Virginia counties. He and Ruth were members of Camden Avenue Church of Christ.
By 2000, with Ruth's increasingly poor health, Ed decided to stick close to home. They enjoyed the holidays and playing cards and games with family and friends. Ruth died in 2003. They had 57 good years together.
In 2004, Ed married a close family friend and widow, Joann Newberry Kirby. They loved to travel and, at home, cooked and canned together and dedicated themselves to helping others. They had seven wonderful years before Jo died in 2011.
He is survived by his children, Sandi Collins of Parkersburg, Rosemary Poyet (Steve) of Charleston, W.Va., Ruth Ann Collins of Parkersburg and Richard Collins (Teresa) of Belpre, Ohio; his stepsons, Rod Kirby of Indianapolis, Ind., and Bob Kirby of Parkersburg; his 5 grandchildren; his 5 step grandchildren; his 7 great grandchildren; his 8 step great grandchildren; one brother, Jarvis L. Collins of Cannonsburg, Pa.; and one sister, Joann Dawson of Fairmont, W.Va.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth V. Arnett Collins; his second wife, Joann Newberry Kirby Collins; and one brother, Charles L. Collins.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Camden Avenue Church of Christ in Parkersburg with Evangelist Steve Poyet and Evangelist Dana Slingluff officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memory Gardens Mausoleum with full military rites by American Legion Post 15.
September 14, 2015
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
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