John R. Collins, 83, of Butler died Saturday evening at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in Butler, Aug. 3, 1925, he was one of eight sons of Vincent and Cecelia Gallagher Collins.

A barber for more than 40 years, John had owned and operated the John Collins Barber Shop in Herman and later moved to West Cunningham Street, near Main Street in Butler. He retired in 1996.

John and all of his brothers served in World War II. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving with the occupation forces in Japan.

A member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler, John enjoyed fishing, gardening and playing pinochle and especially spending time with his family.

Married twice, his first wife, Helen Madden Collins, died Jan. 20, 1984; and Hilda Conner Collins died June 30, 1993. He also was preceded in death by his seven brothers.

Surviving are four sons, Vincent (Miriam) Collins of Annville, Pa., Stephen (Sherry) Collins of Butler, Philip (Lorraine) Collins of Stirling, Va., and Michael (Diana) Collins of San Diego, Va.; four daughters, Marcia Collins of LaGrande, Ore., Anne (Dale) Shipley of Kansas City, Mo., Jane (Jon) Zavacky of Butler and Eleanor (Robin) Spangler of LaGrande, Ore.; 18 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

<B>COLLINS </B>— Friends of John R. Collins, who died Saturday, June 13, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Interment will follow at the St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery in Herman.The St. Paul Guild and Christian Mothers will recite the rosary at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday at the church.The family requests that memorial donations be directed to either the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church or the Butler Public Library.Additional information can be found and condolence messages placed at www.geibelfuneralhome.com. Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.