Joseph L. Collins, Sr., was born on April 6, 1946 to Leslie F. & Margaret (Tatro) Collins in Concordia, KS. He passed from this life on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, KS at the age of 64. Joe graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1964. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict. He married Valetta "Lou" Bergstrom on May 14, 1966 in Concordia, KS. She survives the home. He went to work for the Cloud County Highway Dept. on Oct. 23, 1967 as a road grader operator for the last 43 years. He also has worked for Bud Hefner farms for the past 43 years. Joe was a life member of the VFW Post #588 and the American Legion Post #76. He was a member of the Cloud Co. National Wild Turkey Federation. He survived by his wife: Valetta "Lou" Collins, Concordia, KS; sons: Joseph Collins, Jr. (Tracy), Concordia, KS & Micheal Collins, Concordia, KS; daughter: Julie Palmer (Mike), Tonganoxie, KS; step father: Willard Mettler, Clay Center, NE; brothers: Victor Collins, Concordia, KS & Charles Collins (Sue), Concordia, KS; grandchildren: Breann Johnson, Cameron Collins, Riley, Jace & Brek Palmer & a special cousin, Aldia Collette (Larry), Wamego, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents & grandparents. Funeral services will be at 10 AM, Wed., Aug. 4, 2010 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 9 PM with family greeting friends from 6-8 PM, Tues., Aug. 3, 2010 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. Burial will follow the services at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia with Military honors by American Legion Post #76 & VFW Post #588. The family suggests memorials to the Joseph "Joe" Collins, Sr. Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.