Clifton Lee Collins

Clifton Lee Collins, Jr. age 87 of Buffalo City, WI died December 2, 2013 at Lake Winona Manor, Winona, MN. He was born on January 9, 1926 to Clifton L. and Lucy (Stanton) Collins in Henderson, NC. At the young age of 17, he enlisted in the Marines to serve his country in WWII. He was involved in the battle of Okinawa, and the occupation of Japan. He also witnessed the Peace Treaty being signed as it took place on Tokyo Bay. He proudly served until 1946. After the service he lived in Maryland and worked as a commercial plumber. Clifton met and married Mary Grotjahn in Maryland, and it was there they lived and raised their four children until he retired in 1991. Clifton and Mary then moved to Buffalo City in Mary’s home state of Wisconsin. Clifton took up gardening and his favorite pastime fishing. His passion though was his family, especially his grandsons. He spent countless hours fishing and camping with them. A highlight in recent years was the Freedom Honor Flight he took with his son Lee in May 2012, one of the last flights for WWII Veterans. Clifton will be sorrowfully missed by his wife Mary, his children Lee (Sherri) Collins of Alma, WI, Brenda Collins of Salisbury, NC, Denise (Billy) Sisemore of Missouri, and Cherri Collins of Salisbury, NC. His grandsons Timothy Collins of Salisbury, NC, Joshua Collins, of Alma, WI, Billy Sisemore of Missouri, and Jacob Sisemore of Missouri. He will also be missed by his sisters Margie Hendley of Henderson, NC and Betty Connell of Richmond, VA. Clifton was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Rachel Jones, Audrey Collins, and Jenny Schuster. A memorial gathering with Clifton’s family and friends will be at Tranquility Chapel at Lake Winona Manor on Thursday December 5 at 5:30PM until the time of service at 6:30PM with Pastor Greg Ferriss officiating. A memorial service will also be held at a later date in Henderson, NC. Memorial donations may be designated to Freedom Honor Flight, P.O. Box 505, La Crosse, WI 54602. Talbot Family Funeral Homes – Scenic Rivers Cremation Center was honored to assist the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.