Obituaries

Charles Collins

Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, musician and retired elementary school principal, Charles Edmund “Ed” Collins, 81, passed away on Aug. 8, 2022, after a courageous battle with dementia. He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor Whiston Collins and Edmund Ellison Collins, and brother, Keith Collins.

Ed grew up in Westover. He graduated from Morgantown High School in 1959. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1963 and went on to get his Master of Arts in education from West Virginia University.

Ed was in a rock and roll band called The Fabians. He loved playing the tenor saxophone with his bandmates, especially his brother. Ed enjoyed his time in the band and spoke of it highly. He always said the best education he ever received was playing in the rock and roll band.

Following in the footsteps of his mother and father, Ed was a third generation educator. He dedicated 41 years of his life to public education, as a teacher, administrator and elementary school principal. He retired from Brookhaven Elementary in 2005.

The simplest pleasures in life brought Ed great joy. He had hundreds of funny sayings called “Edmundisms” his family will remember forever. The last 25 years were spent on an 11 acre farmette he shared with his wife of 60 years, Jocelyn Bierer Collins. He was most proud of the home and family he and his wife created. He loved the fact that he gave his family a large space to play, took his grandchildren for wagon rides pulled by his John Deere tractor, created scavenger hunts, went on sled rides down the hill, built treehouses/playhouses, let off fireworks, hosted sleepovers and bonfires and so much more. Most of all, he loved that the farmette was the spot for the entire family and their holiday celebrations.

Ed is survived by his wife, Jocelyn and family: daughter, Dianne Collins Schifano (Tony), and grandchildren, Anthony Edmund Schifano (Abbey) and Ashley Given (Hunter); daughter, Amy Collins Netz (R.J.), grandchildren Robbie Netz (Justin) and Holly Netz and great-grandchild, Blake Netz; and son Edmund Eric “Ed” Collins (Danielle), and grandchildren, Cassie Collins and Katie Collins.

Ed was an animal lover his entire life. He always had a dog companion and was known to feed the wildlife at the farmette. He loved feeding all the turkey, deer and other critters that stopped by. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Animal Friends Thrift Shoppe or Westover United Methodist Church.

Friends and family may gather at Dering-Henson Funeral Home for visitation from 4-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Visitation will be held at Westover United Methodist Church, from 11 a.m. until noon, the time of service, on Thursday, Aug. 11, with Pastor Sandy Bigelow officiating. Ed will be laid to rest alongside his family at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens following the service.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Amedisys, especially Carla, Amy and Shar for their excellent care.

Caring services are being provided by Dering-Henson Funeral Home.