David W. Collins

David W. Collins, 81 of East Moline, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at his home.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, November 7, 2020, at Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline.  A Memorial Service will be held following the visitation at 11 a.m.  Private inurnment will be at Rock Island National Cemetery with military honors.  Please respect social distancing and wear a face mask.  Memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Route 66 Gold Miners toward a claim in his honor.

David, “Dave”, “Butch” was born on September 4, 1938, in Chicago, IL, the son of David L. and Virginia (Bausher) Collins. He was a 1957 graduate of Lake View High School in Chicago, IL and attended Shimer College in Mount Carroll, IL. Dave proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1962-1964 aboard the USS Essex. He married Leona (Bender) Dudzik in 1971. He later married Sheri (Christie) White on November 9, 1996.

Dave moved to the Quad City area in the early 1970’s for an administrative position with local McDonald’s restaurants.  He spent the last 20+ years of his career as a co-owner and administrative manager of several Maid-Rite franchises in the Quad City and surrounding area, retiring in 2007.

Raised in Chicago, he was always a loyal Cubs and Bears fan, despite some rough seasons. He enjoyed watching and playing golf. His Hole-in-One on Oct 4, 2013 at Indian Bluff golf course was one of the highlights of his golf game. Throughout his life, Dave maintained an interest in theatre. He was involved with Playcrafters Barn Theater, both on and off stage, in the early 1980’s. Dave was passionate about literature and history, always reading multiple books, magazines, and newspapers at once. He was a firm believer in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the founding principles of our country.

Dave was strong in his faith and an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline for nearly 40 years.

Dave enjoyed spending his retirement reading, golfing and entertaining his grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as “Papa” and “Grandpa Dave”.

Dave was a kind, selfless and generous husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Sheri; three children, Mike (Loretta) Dudzik of Yorba Linda, CA, Mark Collins of Lakewood, CA, and Lauren White of Blue Grass, IA; grandchildren, Michael, Derrick, Autumn, Graham and Henry; brother Larry (Terrie) of CA and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Virginia Collins, and father-in-law James Christie.