Kenneth Melvin Collinson

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020, Kenneth Melvin Collinson, loving father of three children and seven grandchildren, passed away at the age of 81. A funeral service in memory of Kenneth will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11 am, at 15th Avenue Christian Church, 3600 15th Ave, Rock Island, IL. His live-streamed service can be viewed at Kenneth’s obituary page on Wendt Funeral Home’s website (www.wendtfuneralhome.com). Visitation will take place on Monday, January 4th, from 1 pm to 4 pm at Wendt Funeral Home, Moline, IL. In accordance with CDC and IDPH guidelines, attendees are expected to wear a face mask and observe social distancing.

Kenny was born on August 22, 1939 in Moline, IL to Helen V. and Melvin D. Collinson. He lost his father in a quarry accident in January 1948. He attended Moline Public Schools and graduated from Moline High School in 1957. After that he attended Augustana College where he played quarterback on the Vikings football team and joined the Beta Omega Sigma fraternity. He graduated with a B.A. degree in political science in 1961. In 1961, he married Jacqueline Ann Chinlund. Kenny earned a law degree at Northwestern University and became a member of the Illinois Bar in 1964. His first position as a lawyer was with the Rock Island County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he later served as Public Defender. Subsequently, he joined the law practice of Potter, Gilman, Galvin, Collinson, Konecky & McAndrews in Rock Island and then launched his own law office in Milan with Collinson, Taber & Darrow. In 2005, Robert G. Scott and Lincoln T. Scott joined him to form Collinson & Scott, P.C. From 1990-1992, Kenny served as President of the Rock Island County Bar Association. Later, he served as a director of Blackhawk Bank & Trust and was a proud member of the Milan Area Rotary Club. He was President of Collinson Stone Company in Milan for 34 years. After retiring from his law practice in 2017, Kenny donated his law office building to the Milan Christian Food Pantry, which was dedicated in 2020. He was a member of the 15th Ave Christian Church, Rock Island.

Kenny enjoyed activities with several family members, and close friends who he had known since high school and college. He was a member of Shorthill’s Country Club. He also enjoyed boating (“The Captain”), playing cards (Hearts), and spending weekends at his cabin in Fox Lake, WI. He was an avid sports fan, affectionately following the St. Louis Cardinals, and loyally supporting his grandchildren’s involvement in sports and various other pursuits.

Kenny was preceded in death by Jackie, his beloved wife of 42 years who passed away in 2003. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Thomas) Gannon, of Waukesha, WI, three grandchildren Danielle, Sean, and Kyle; his son Scott (Stacey) Collinson of Davenport, IA, two grandchildren Trevor and Ethan; his son Peter Collinson of Milan, Il, two grandchildren Carol Ann and Jacob; and his brother, James (Madeleine) Collinson of Fort Collins, CO, niece Catherine and nephew John. He was also preceded in death by his close cousin Ronnie Aldinger.

A Celebration of Life service will be Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the Pinnacle Country Club in Milan, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Kenny may be sent to the Milan Christian Food Pantry, PO Box 333., Milan, IL 61264.