John F. McCollum, 76, of St. Marys, died at 3:15 p.m. Nov. 1, 2008, at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community.

He was born Oct. 22, 1932, in St. Marys, to Samuel and Allie Stoker McCollum. On May 2, 1952, he married Edna Annabelle Longsworth, who survives.

Other survivors are four sons, Michael (Lori), Lima, Larry (Carrie) and Thomas, all of St. Marys, and Robert, Cincinnati; two daughters, Cheryl (Alva Joe) Daniel, St. Marys, and Lisa (Darrell) Wilder, Van Wert; a sister, Mary, St. Marys; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Donald; a brother, Samuel; two sisters, Ellen Knous and Delores Moon; and a great-grandson.

He retired in 1995 from the Minster Machine Company, where he worked for 28 years as a welder. He was a member of the American Legion and Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge, both in St. Marys, and the First Church of the Nazarene and attended the St. Marys Missionary Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, serving in the 11th Airborne Division.

Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Alva Joe Daniel officiating. Burial with graveside military rites is at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral Home.

Contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Condolences can be left at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.