Pat Collins

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Patrick William Collins, age 75 of Galena, passed away at 9:20 PM on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Joplin, MO.

Pat was born in Arkansas City, KS on July 1, 1947 to the union of Ivan R. Collins, Sr. and Hazel (Shrock) Collins. He graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a degree in Criminal Justice.

He was a lifetime resident of Galena, other than a short time where he lived at the duty station at the Cherokee County Courthouse Jail. 

He served as Cherokee County Commissioner for District 1, Galena Chief of Police, Cherokee County Sheriff, and Past-Master of the Galena Masonic Lodge where he was a 50 year Mason. He was also a member of the Three Links FLT Oddfellows Lodge, and was baptized into membership at the First Christian Church of Galena in the late 1950's. His dedication to his community is reflected by a lifetime of service spanning over 49 years before his retirement in 2019.

Survivors include one daughter, Florence Collins (Chris Allen) of Galena; two nieces, Kathryn Kientz of Belle Plaine, KS, and Marilee Kendall (husband, Mike) of Derby, KS; two nephews, Kerry Knetzer (wife, Brenda) of Mulvane, KS, and Larry Knetzer of Flower Mound, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan R. Collins, Sr., and Hazel Collins-Ferguson; one brother, Ivan R. Collins, Jr.; and one sister, Helen Knetzer.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 20, 2022 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery of Galena. Pallbearers serving will be the Cherokee County Sheriff's Dept. Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brian Kerns, Randy Mangrum, and Chris Allen.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Galena Education Foundation (GEF) Scholarship Fund, the Galena Police Department Auxiliary Fund, or the Cherokee County Sheriff's Dept Auxiliary Fund in care of the funeral home.




Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.