No headline

Charles ‘Chuck’ Collins

Oct. 2, 1940 – Nov. 25, 2018

This is the story of Charles “Chuck” Collins. Chuck was a wonderful man who was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished.

Chuck Collins, 78, of Perris, Calif., passed away Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, at his home. Born on Oct. 2, 1940, at home in Strawberry Point, Iowa, to Clair and Mary Collins. Chuck was raised on his parents’ farm, educated in a Clayton County rural school and graduated from Edgewood High School, class of 1958. After graduation, Chuck was employed by Collins Radio and attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

On Jan. 26, 1963, Chuck married Mary Ann Musil in Cedar Rapids. Chuck and Mary Ann had two children; a son, Kevin, and a daughter, Christine.

In 1968, Chuck moved his family to Altadena, Calif. He went to work for Burroughs Corporation in Pasadena, Calif., as a computer hardware design technician, and he also owned a laundromat in San Gabriel, Calif. Chuck continued his education throughout his working years.

In 1975 he moved his family to Post Falls, Idaho, and opened two sandwich shops, Dip-n-Deli 1, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Dip-n-Deli 2, in Post Falls. Chuck and Mary Ann later divorced.

Chuck moved back to California in 1988 with Linda Harned, and the two were married in Laughlin, Nev.. on July 2, 1997. Chuck and Linda lived in Perris, Calif. Chuck went to work for Unisys, formerly Burroughs, where he retired in 2001. Chuck and Linda were happily together for 33 years. Linda has two daughters, Cindy and Wendy, who live in Coeur d’Alene, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Linda; his son, Kevin and his wife, Jan of Post Falls; his daughter, Christine Uptmor and her husband, Roger of Keuterville, Idaho; three grandchildren: Chantel, Chaye and Reid; two step-grandchildren: Felicia and Alex; three sisters: Marie (Glen) Hurt of Cedar Rapids, Shirley Mangold of Manchester, Iowa and Sandi (Michael) Franks, of Runnells, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; a brother in infancy, Robert John; brother-in-law, Alan Mangold and niece Debra Wilhelm.

A special ‘Thank You’ to the Helping Hands Hospice in Perris for their loving care and support.

Chuck loved the Los Angeles Dodgers and the USC Trojans football team. Chuck loved to read. Chuck read all times of the day and especially just before retiring for the day.

Chuck was always there to help family and friends with projects or whatever else may be needed. Chuck was definitely one-of-a-kind. He always found humor in every situation. It was a great way to cope with life. Whatever it was, he managed to get through it by laughing at it and getting you to laugh. Dad will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held in Post Falls, Idaho, later this spring.