Mr. Collins held a master’s degree in library science and worked in the reference library of the Illinois State Library. He was an avid reader and talented writer. He enjoyed bird watching and spending time with his feline companions.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, William and Doris, nee Simpson, Collins; a brother, John Collins; a brother-in-law, Ron Wells; a sister-in-law, Ulrike Collins; dear aunts and uncles; and his cats, Edwina, Rupert, Rutherford, Beauregard, and Balthazar.
Surviving are eight siblings, David (Sue) Collins and Cathleen (Mark) Wesemann, both of Belleville, IL, Donald Collins of Rimrock, AZ, Richard Collins of Alton, IL, Carol Wells of Douglass, TX, Cheryl Collins of Bloomington, IL, Bryan Collins of East Alton, IL, and Barry Collins of Germany;
nieces and nephews, David (Stacy) Collins of Freeburg, IL, Andrew Collins of Austin, TX, Rachel Frobel of Fairview Heights, IL, Michael Collins and Joseph Collins both of Tempe, AZ, Steven Collins of Peoria, AZ, Sabrina Collins and Vernard (Carolina) Miles, both of Albuquerque, NM, Christopher Collins and Katharina Collins of Germany, Brittany Collins of New Baden, IL;
great-nieces and great-nephews, Abigail Collins, Adelaide and Asher Collins, Jax Frobel, Isabella Collins, Issiah, Sianna and Aryana Chavez, and Thomas and Victoria Miles.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Animal Protective League of Springfield. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021, and from 12 to 1 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing, will be observed.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Burial will be at Green Mount Protestant Cemetery, Belleville, IL.