John Eugene "Gene" Collett

John Eugene “Gene” Collett, age 89, completed his earthly journey on October 15, 2014, the anniversary of his dear wife’s birthday, surrounded by his family, and went on to eternal glory with his God and Savior.

John Eugene Collett was born on September 2, 1925 in Montrose, West Virginia, the son of Maurie Jay and Deborah Hazel (Ferguson) Collett. He graduated from Elkins High School. He was a proud United States Veteran, serving in the Eighth Air Force 401st Bomb Group as a T/Sgt Flight Engineer and Gunner on a B-17 bomber during World War II, and also in the Navy Reserves for five years in PBY Squadron 651. John moved to Akron in 1946 where he met and married Dorothy, the love of his life. He worked for the Sun Rubber Company and then the General Service Administration. When he was appointed Depot Manager at the GSA depot in Niles, Ohio in 1954, the family moved to Champion, Ohio. He served as the Depot Manager for 30 years. While living in Champion, he was active in the community, serving on the school board for eight years, as township clerk and township trustee. He was appointed township administrator and served in that position for six years.

He was also chairman of the Cancer Fund drive for many years. John was involved in Boy Scouts of America as a Cubmaster and an Explorer advisor, and coached Little League Baseball and Optimist Youth Basketball. He was president of the Optimists Club and secretary of the Rotary Club. He was a 50-year member of the Carrol F. Clapp Lodge 655 F&AM, and a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Akron. John was an active member of Champion Presbyterian Church having served as deacon, elder, trustee and delegate to the General Assembly in 1978. After moving to Green in 1991, he became a member of Greensburg United Methodist Church serving there in many capacities. John volunteered in the Green Local Schools for twelve years, working with multiple-handicapped students who lovingly called him “Grandpa”, and was named 1995-96 Green Schools Volunteer of the Year.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Dorothy Smartt Collett; three of his precious grandchildren, Justin John Collett, Colette Dyan Lepley, and Joseph Samuel Subity; five sisters and a brother. He is survived by his four children, Kathy (Sam) Subity, Keith (Lynette) Collett, Janis Lepley, and Jon (Melinda) Collett; ten grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and number 17 on the way; sister, Edith Hebb; sister-in-law, Jean Smartt; many nieces, nephews, dear friends, church family, and his Greenview family.

He and the family want to extend a very special thank you to the staff and residents of Greenview Assisted Living and Crossroads Hospice. John never met a stranger. He felt that we are called to serve others; his motto was “God loves you, and so do I.” He really loved others and spread that love freely as he traveled the country he loved and the world. This legacy of love will live on forever in the hearts of all whose lives he touched. “Well done, good and faithful servant… welcome home!”

The family will receive friends Sunday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 3553 Northdale Street NW, UNIONTOWN, Ohio 44685 (one block NW of the square of 619 & Cleveland Ave.) Funeral service will be held Monday, 11 a.m. at Greensburg United Methodist Church, 2161 Greensburg Road, North Canton, OH 44720 with Rev. Keith McLaughlin officiating. Friends will also be received at the church from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial with military honors by Mogadore VFW Post 8487 will follow the service at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Akron. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Alzheimer’s Disease Research or the American Cancer Society. (Hopkins Lawver, UNIONTOWN, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com PDF Printable Version