John T. Collen

John T. Collen, age 88, of De Pere, passed away October 3, 2021. The son of the late Sylvester and Martha (Turiff) Collen was born March 11, 1933, in Green Bay. He graduated from Nicolet High School in De Pere and served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. On December 27, 1952, he married Patricia Plouff at St. Joseph Church of De Pere and recently celebrated his 67th wedding anniversary with Patricia. John worked at the Fort Howard Paper Company as a machine tender for many years and was proud when several of his tissue products were selected for the White House consumption. He enjoyed bow hunting, fishing, and golfing in his spare time and most notably, John was a family man that cherished his time with his wife and children.

Surviving John are his wife, Patricia; children: Cynthia Mallien of Green Bay, Robin (Mark) Ehlert of Freedom, Paul (Kathy) Collen of Greenville, Lonnie (Juli) Collen of De Pere, Martha Peltier (significant other Bill) of De Pere, Peter Collen of Green Bay, Jennifer Collen of De Pere; Grandchildren: Ryan Mallien, Sara Freeman, Billy Mallien, Jeremy Raymaker, John Raymaker, Joseph Raymaker, Ashley Monfils, Jenna Meyers, Brandon Collen, Raymond Collen, Leeann Kalinski, Emily Collen, Daniel Peltier; Great grandchildren: Landen Freeman, Kaylyn Raymaker, Avery Raymaker, Reese Raymaker, Isabelle, Alani Raymaker, Amelia Raymaker, Amber Lardinois, Lucy Monfils, Lola Monfils, Cecelia Meyers, Asher Meyers, Jasmina Collen, Kyler Pino and Chloe Kalinski; brother-in-law Vern Lindsley. 
          
He was preceded in death by his parents: Sylvester Collen and Martha Collen (Turiff); sister Mary Lou Lindsley, son Jeffrey Collen and granddaughter Hannah Peltier.

Family and friends many gather at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave, Green Bay on Friday, October 29, from 10:00am until 10:45am.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am.  Full Military Honors to follow.