Charles Collette

Charles "Ed" Collette, 87, of Niagara, passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Dickinson County Health Care System in Iron Mountain. Ed was born on January 22, 1925 in Norway, MI, son of the late August and Harriet (McAllister) Collette. He attended Niagara High School and graduated in 1943. Ed played high school football and basketball and skated for a year with the local community hockey team. Ed served during WWII in the United States Army as a member of the 575 Motor Ambulance Company. His two and a half years of duty included five major European Campaigns including, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe and the Battle of the Bulge. He received three overseas service bars and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with Silver Battle Star. He was honorably discharged from the Army on November 1, 1945. Ed married the former Geraldine M. Ryan on August 30, 1947 in Iron Mountain. His wife Gerry remained the love of his life until her death on November 12, 2011. Ed worked 42 years as an electrician for Kimberly Clark Corporation and Pentair Corporation retiring in 1985. He served 16 years as a member of the Marinette County Board; serving the last ten years as the Board Chairperson. He also served as a Village Trustee on the Niagara Village Board for ten years. Ed was a long time member and lay leader of the Union Protestant/Riverside Methodist Church. He was a 50 year member of the Niagara/Florence Masonic Lodge. Ed was a lifetime member of the Roger DuBord Post 7931 VFW Post, having served as post commander and several additional capacities. He was also a 15 year volunteer member of the Niagara Fire Department. Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking with son, and playing cards and dancing with his wife and friends. He and his Geri traveled extensively throughout the United States during their retirement, spending 12 winters in McAllen, TX. Ed was an outstanding husband and father and will be dearly missed by family and friends. In addition to his wife Gerry, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Katie, step-brother, Donald Collette; sister in law and brother in law, Charles and Patricia Nelson and brothers in law, Michael and Terry Ryan. Ed is survived by his son, Michael (JoAnna) Collette of Anderson, Indiana; granddaughter, Kirsten (Michael), step-granddaughters, Betsy, JoEllen and Jill and brother in law, Dennis (Mary) Ryan. Also by several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 8th from 10:00-11:00am at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home. Memorial services will follow at 11:00am Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Rev. Kyochul Shin will officiate. Burial will be in the Niagara Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Maryhill Manor. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Charles "Ed" Collette online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Charles Collette

May 6, 1925 - May 6, 2012