John Bain Collins

Surrounded by his family, John Bain Collins, 91, of Wapakoneta, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, September 2, 2016 at Auglaize Acres where he had been a resident for a month. John was born on April 24, 1925 in Kenton, Ohio to Thelma (Briggs) and Bain Collins. He was a graduate of Lima South High School, Class of 1943. He then attended The Ohio State University. He Proudly served in the United States Navy as a Yeoman. He served in the Pacific Theater from September 1943 until April 1946 during World War II. John was an amazing husband to Betty Jane Brown. They were married on April 26, 1947 and celebrated 63 wonderful years of marriage. She was the love of his life and he often referred to her as his Babe. When Betty passed away in July of 2010, his heart was broken and he looked forward to the day in which they would reunite in the Lord's Kingdom. John was a hard worker. He retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1987 after 36 years of service. Upon retiring, John and Betty moved to Winter Haven, Florida where they had many friends and loved spending the winters there. John had a love for genealogy, history, trains, and the circus. John spent many hours building and putting together train sets, in addition to collecting train memorabilia. His passion for the circus was evident. The Barnum and Bailey Circus organization was his second true love. His love for the circus started as a young boy in Lima, Ohio where he would spend hours at the train tracks when the circus would come to town. He watched them unload the train cars and the animals. If he heard of a circus in the area, he would be there. He belonged to many circus organizations and he treated his family with many trips to the circus when it was in the area. His love for the circus was witnessed by his family and friends to the very end of his life. His 2016 calendar was marked with many dates involving circus shows and travel plans were made with his great nephew, Alec. Even at 91, local and out of state circus trips were his top priority. On May 12, 2016 he and Gale Miller, as his guardian, were able to go with the Columbus Honor Flight to Washington DC. He visited the World War II Memorial, which was the highlight of the trip for him. He never stopped smiling and being kind to all of his new friends and family. Upon returning from the Honor Flight, Johnny made it known that this had been one of the best days of his life. He even stated that this trip was so meaningful, that he could now pass away a happy man. He was a very loving and giving man, and while he will be sadly missed by his family, many of his convictions, principles, and passions will be celebrated by those that he touched. He is survived by his niece, Leslie (Gale) Miller of Uniopolis and his nephew, Tom Brown of Wapakoneta. Also surviving are great nieces- Meaghen Hays of Sidney and Lexi (Andy) Martin of Wapakoneta, great nephews- Brent (Eiren) Miller, Galen (Tayla) Miller, Alec Brown, Colton Brown of Wapakoneta and Aaron (Katie) Miller of London, Ohio. Other survivors include great -great nieces Piper and Presley Hays and coming in February Peyton Martin, great -great nephews Channing, Asher, and Collins Miller, and a sister –in- law Geraldine Brown of Wapakoneta. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister -in -law Rosie McPheron, and 2 brothers-in-law, Berlyn T. Brown and Wesley McPheron. All of these, he loved and touched deeply. Please join us in celebrating John's life at a funeral service 11:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 6. 2016, at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, 1102 Lincoln Ave., (St. Rt. 501), Wapakoneta, with Pastor Randy Davis officiating. Burial is to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta, where military rites will be conducted by the Wapakoneta V.F.W. Post #8445. The family will receive friends from 9-11 a.m., Tues. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Columbus Honor Flights, P.O. Box 12026, Columbus, OH, 43212.

John Bain Collins

April 24, 1925 - September 2, 2016