James “Jim” Dale Collier, 77, of Mercer, Mo., passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at his home after a 5 ½-year battle with cancer.
He was born October 12, 1946, in Trenton, Mo., the son of Harry Dale and Telitha Glendoris “Pink” (Ragan) Collier.
James attended and graduated from Mercer High School in 1964. After graduating, he traveled to Davenport, Iowa, for employment at a glass factory until 1966. In August 1966, Jim volunteered for the U.S. Army draft, where he served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on August 2, 1968. After being discharged, he attended Trenton College for agricultural vo-tech.
On August 31, 1969, he married Frances Charlene Lentz. Together, they purchased a home west of Mercer, Mo., where they lived for 55 years until his death. During this time, they raised two daughters, Terri Lynn and Tiffany Michelle.
Throughout his life, he worked in construction and farming, ending his career in the hog industry. He was an avid fisherman, adventurous hunter, skilled poacher, game warden eluder, anytime hand fisherman, ruthless card player, and firearm advocate, to name a few of his unorthodox qualities. In his later years, his cigarette-smoking and whiskey-drinking lifestyle slowed down, but his love for card playing and gambling continued.
His love for his community was evident in his dedication to various boards, including the Mercer County Rural Water Board, the Park and Recreation Board, Marion Township, and multiple cemetery boards. He was also a member of the Ragan Hickman American Legion in Mercer, Mo., and the Princeton VFW.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Dale and Telitha Glendoris, along with a brother-in-law, Dale Clapham.
Surviving to mourn his passing are his wife, Charlene, of Mercer, Mo.; daughters, Terri (David) Nigh of Princeton, Mo., and Tiffany (Jason “Ace”) Siemer of Princeton, Mo.; four grandchildren, Andrew (Casey) Lovewell of Columbia, Mo., Shaylee Henley (Taylor Rhoades) of Corydon, Iowa, Bre Siemer (Austin Last) of Clay Center, Kan., and Blaze Siemer of Mercer, Mo.; seven great-grandchildren, Blakely, Collins, and Hunter Lovewell of Columbia, Mo., Rage West and Laken Rhoades of Corydon, Iowa, and Jedson Siemer-Sharp and Kallum Siemer-Last of Clay Center, Kan.; two sisters, Jean Clapham of Princeton, Mo., and Jeanette Collier (Russ England) of Topeka, Kan.; niece, Glenda Thompson (Darryl); nephews, John, Christopher, and Brenden Armstrong; and numerous extended family members.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 31, at the Assembly of God Church, Mercer, Mo. Inurnment with military rites will follow at Middlepoint Cemetery, Mercer, Mo. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the church.
