Larry Collins' Obituary
Larry Eugene Collins, 84, of Unionville, MO passed away at the Putnam County Care Center on December 22nd, 2025.
Larry Collins was born in Unionville, MO on July 27th, 1941, the son of Wilburn and Dorothy (Irelan) Collins who preceded him in death. Larry began his education in Columbia, MO and later graduated from Northeast MO State Teachers College with a master's in education. On November 21, 1963, Larry married Mae Head in Milan, MO and they began their journey together in St. Louis and later St. Charles, where he taught Industrial Arts and Drivers Education at Berkeley Junior High. During his summer breaks he would draft plans/blueprints for Monsanto Company. They returned to Unionville in 1976 where Larry started Collins Plumbing and Electric. He was a master of many trades, including keeping the farm equipment up and running, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling and selling furniture. Larry had a love for antique clocks and pocket watches and even hand-made wooden-geared clocks, two of which have been passed on to his daughters. Larry was a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. As talented as he was, his family will remember him for his sense of humor, as a steadfast calm gentleman who rarely got shook up, loved kids, and was a great Christian example for his family.
Larry is survived by his wife, Mae of the home and two daughters, Lisa Hofstetter of Brookfield, MO and Kim Harlan and husband Jeff of Unionville, MO. Larry's surviving grandsons are Will Hofstetter; Owen Harlan and wife Cheyenne; and Evan Harlan and wife Ashley, all of Unionville, MO. Larry is also survived by a brother, John Collins and wife Deena of Lucerne, MO.
Memorials in Larry's honor may be made payable to the Connections Activity Center or the Alzheimer's Association.
Larry's funeral service will be held at the Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville, MO on Saturday, December 27th at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin one hour before the service at 10:00 am and interment will follow at the Unionville Cemetery.
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