Terry Joe Collins, 88, of Macomb, Illinois, formerly of rural Blandinsville, Illinois, passed away at 1:53 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at his daughter’s home in Pittsfield, Illinois.
Terry was born October 1, 1937 in LaHarpe, Illinois, the son of Elmer Elsworth “Bill” and Josephine Ruth (Lorton) Collins. As a young man, Terry worked for Miller’s Grocery Store in LaHarpe, delivering milk and groceries in the community. He was a 1955 graduate of LaHarpe High School. Following high school, he attended Western Illinois University, before enlisting in the U.S. Army. On November 22, 1958 he married Barbara Gordon at the Blandinsville Christian Church. She survives.
Following his military service, he was employed by Champion Spark Plug in Burlington, Iowa, for 33 years. He loved working and quickly realized retirement life was not for him.
He returned to the workforce as an Insurance Crop Adjuster with Country Financial for 20 years. Later in life, he relocated to Macomb and stayed active as a groundskeeper for Wesley Village. He loved working and providing for his family.
Mr. Collins was a member of the LaHarpe Masonic Lodge and LaHarpe Christian Church. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and the Fighting Illini. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
