Ival Wendell Collins, 88

Graveside services for Ival Wendell Collins, 88, of West Plains, were held Jan. 13, 2021, at Elijah Cemetery. Mr. Collins died Jan. 11 at Ozarks Healthcare (formerly Ozarks Medical Center) in West Plains. 

 He was born Jan. 11, 1933, in Roosevelt, Missouri, the son of Larkin M. and Ida Blanche Roper Collins. On Aug. 7, 1954, in Howell County, he married Mary Francis Owen. 

Mr. Collins was of the Church of Christ faith. He worked at Marathon Electric until his retirement

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, always placing his family before himself and above all others, and instilling in his family members his love for music, especially country and bluegrass. He was very proud of his grandchildren. 

He is survived by Mary Collins, his wife of 66 years, of the family home; four children, Morgan Collins and wife Terry, Galen Collins and wife Margaret,  and Terena Hudson and husband Lionel, all Caulfield, and Teresa Goodpasture of Flippin, Arkansas; two brothers, Roger Collins and wife Harrietta of Bakersfield and Paul Collins of Gainesville; two sisters, Loeta White and Naomi Bunch Painter, both of West Plains; special family friend Dorothy Stigall of Mountain Grove; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and friends of the family who lovingly called him Grandpa Ival. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law, Paul Goodpasture; three brothers, Alonzo Collins, Doyle Collins and Leon Collins; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and special family friend Sam Stigall. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at robertsondrago.com.

Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, directors. 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423