Jerry Collins, 66, of Waverly, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday, November 2, 2021, surrounded by his wife and daughters at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, KS.

Jerry was born in Ottawa, KS on December 17, 1954 to parents John William and Elizabeth Josephine (Nutt) Collins. He attended school in Waverly, KS and graduated from Waverly High School in 1972. He married Mary Ellen Maine on September 1, 1973 at the Waverly Baptist Church.

Jerry accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 13 and was baptized when he was 17. He remained a member of the Church of Christ, however attended the First Baptist Church of Waverly for many years with Mary and family.

During high school he played football, basketball, and ran track, participated in Boy's Glee club, student council, was class president, yearbook editor, and was selected to attend Cadet Lawman Academy.  He also worked as a teller at the First National Bank.  He and Mary were Homecoming King and Queen their senior year.

After graduating high school he attended Emporia State University for one semester, then completed an Associate Degree in Gunsmithing at the Colorado School of Trades in Lakeview, CO. He returned to Waverly and began his working career at Berico Industries. He served as a Boy Scout Leader and taught Hunter Education courses for several years.

He later worked for Behlen Manufacturing Co., Columbus, NE, followed by GSI (Grain Systems Inc.), Assumption, IL, and was currently a working partner of GSS-US Associates LLC with an office in Waverly, KS and headquarters in Shang Hai, China. GSS specializes in grain dryer systems and grain processing solutions. Throughout his working career he traveled to numerous countries across the globe.

He was a member of the Waverly City Council since 2003, and represented Waverly on the board of the Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 12 since 2006, serving as Secretary since 2014.

Jerry had a love for the wilderness and outdoors, enjoyed hunting, shooting, camping, reading and vacationing to many national parks. He especially loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He leaves his wife Mary, three daughters Heather (Brad) Peek, Overland Park, KS, Holly (Jeff) White, Olathe, KS, Haley (Chris) McCammon, Elkhart, KS, grandchildren Sydney (20), Banks (18), and Kennedy (13) Peek, Taylor (11), Hayden (8), and Chase (6) McCammon, brother William "Billy" Jesse Collins, Japan, sister-in-law Patti Collins, Omaha, NE, as well as numerous extended relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother John Scott Collins.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 P.M. at the Old Waverly High School Gymnasium with a visitation time following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following charities that were close to Jerry's heart: Smile Train, Samaritan's Purse, or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Contributions may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.