Lesley Downing Collins, 96, of Tecumseh, passed away Monday, September 26th, 2022, in Chino California.

He was born May 9th, 1926 to Arthur and Mabel (Ade) Collins in Niantic, Illinois. Lesley was raised in Decatur, Illinois.

Lesley joined the United States Navy at a tender age of 17 years old. He served on the USS LST #603 in the European Theater of Operation. Lesley was deployed to support the invasion of Italy and France in 1943.

Upon returning from World War II Lesley met and married Rosemary (Carroll) Collins on September 26th 1948 in Illinois. They moved to Anaheim, California, in 1961 where they raised their family before moving to Tecumseh in 1975.

Upon the death of Rosemary, Lesley returned to California to join his son and daughter-in-law, Shelley and Sue Collins. For the remaining years he shared the joy of life with his lovely grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lesley was a loving husband and father who supported his family throughout the years. He is survived by Shelley and Sue Collins; daughter and son-in-law Diane (Collins) and Gregory Nichols of Knoxville, TN; 10 grandchildren; 8 greatgrandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.

Memorial Service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 4, 2022 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Keith Ward, Taproot Church, Shawnee, OK officiating. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

To share memories, or to sign the guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com.