Alvin L. Collins

Alvin Laverne Collins, age 70, of Lamar, Missouri died Thursday, January 10, 2019 at his home after a battle with cancer.      Alvin was born November 29, 1948 in Lamar, Missouri to Chester Howard Collins and Ruth Naomi (Rackley) Collins. He was raised in the Newport area and had also lived in Irwin and Iantha. Alvin started working at O’Sullivan Industries in April 1967 and worked until November 1969, when he began to serve in the United States Army, stationed in Germany, and had an honorable discharge in 1971 as an E5.      On September 4, 1970, he married Melva McMurray and together they raised two daughters. After getting out of the Army, he went back to work at O’Sullivan Industries working in the Sample Shop as a foreman, retiring in 2001. He then worked for Abba Electric in Nevada, Missouri as an electrician apprentice until he had to quit, because of his health.      Alvin was a Baptist and was baptized May 13, 1986 at the Church of Christ, thanks to a friend, Lynn Nehr. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking, until the death of his brother-in-law, Bob Aldridge and a nephew Tom McWilliams.      Alvin leaves behind his wife Melva Collins; two daughters, Docinda “Dody” (Dan) Riley, Lamar, Missouri and Stacy Collins, Nevada, Missouri; three sisters, LaNita Aldridge, Mitchell, South Dakota, Carol (Bob) Long, Webb City, Missouri, and Wanda Holcomb, Bentonville, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Kricket (Blake) Sprouls, Zoey Ball, Jerica Collins, Jerimia Collins, John Michael Collins, Skyler Riley and Danielle Riley.      Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Jerry Allen, a brother-in-law, Bob Aldridge, and a nephew, Tom McWilliams.      Funeral service will be 10:00 am, January 15, 2019 at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow in Newport Cemetery.      Visitation will be 6:00 to 7:00 pm Monday, January 14, 2019 at the funeral home.      Contributions are suggested to Alvin Collins’ Family in care of Daniel Funeral Home.