James Collins Obituary

James Henry "Jim" Collins

Feb 11, 1954 - Jan 6, 2024

Norwalk

James Henry "Jim" Collins, 69, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Saturday evening, Jan. 6, 2024, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk.

He was born Feb. 11, 1954, in Findlay, to Thomas B. and Jean M. (Harrington) Collins. Jim graduated from St Paul's High School in 1972. He married Maribeth Meyers on Oct. 4, 1980. Jim was a man with a large personality with even a bigger heart. He cared very much about others and his biggest joy in life was being a loving, supportive, and dedicated father to his girls, Emily and Shea. He was a self-made man who lived life on his terms. He cultivated many personal and professional relationships throughout his life. Jim had a true gift as a storyteller and loved to "Hold Court" in his front room.

Professionally, Jim worked in the Agricultural business for over 40 years and most recently served as VP of GVM West in Bellevue. Some of Jim's contributions included President of Ducks Unlimited, Norwalk High School Athletic Booster President, serving on the Norwalk Tree Board, Christie Lane Housing Board, Deacon of First Presbyterian Church, and instrumental in starting the racquetball league at the Norwalk Park and Rec. He loved his hometown of Norwalk and humbly gave much to the community.

Words that Jim lived by and often would share with others are "Let us never be burdened by the words we should have said."

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Maribeth (Meyers) Collins; daughters, Emily (Patrick) O'Dell and Shea Collins; grandchildren, Aiden, L.J., and Lola; siblings, Janet (John) Holt, Margaret "Maggie" Collins, and Jeff North; sister-in-law, Gayle Barwick-Collins; nephew, Travis; nieces, Jesse, Sarah (Jereme), and Ali (Justin); and cousins and friends that meant the world to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Frank and Martha Meyers; brother, Steven Collins; sister-in-law, Margaret Ann Meyers Cotton; uncles, Jack Harrington and Bob Ryan; aunts, Sara Harrington and Margaret Harrington Ryan; and cousin, Kathleen Ryan Schnabele.

Visitation for family and friends will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, until the time of Jim's service at 4 p.m. in the narthex of First Presbyterian Church, 21 Firelands Blvd., Norwalk. Jim's celebration of life will follow at Buckeye Pub, 71 Jefferson St., Norwalk.

If you choose to send flowers, the family prefers arrangements from Petal Pushers/Mandy Stoll at 419-656-9695. The family asks contributions to be directed to Artists Open Studio, 32 East Main St., Norwalk (where his daughter Shea participates in clay projects), Norwalk Area Food Bank, 99 Whittlesey Ave., Norwalk, or Salvation Army, 55 Whittlesey Ave., Norwalk, Ohio, 44857.