James "Jim" Michael Collins, 57, De Pere, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on Tuesday evening, April 4, 2023. The son of John "Jack" and Marlene (Brouchoud) Collins was born in Skokie, IL on January 23, 1966. On April 28, 1990, James married Michelle Le Duc at St. Mary Catholic Church in De Pere; together they shared 32 wonderful years and had known each other for 40 years.

James graduated from West Green Bay High School and NWTC. He spent 33 and a half years as an electronic assembly technician and test supervisor at Plexus.

James enjoyed spending time with his family and friends swimming in the pool and hosting legendary "Disco Swim" parties, biking, exploring family land and bonfires. Jim exercised both his mind and body through logic puzzles, running, and playing basketball. He enjoyed annual vacations in Watersmeet, MI, where he would kayak on the Cisco Chain of Lakes. He spent hours curating music into unique playlists fit for everything from road trips to pool parties, and who could forget those unique sci-fi shows, side-splitting comedy shows, and of course, Jeopardy. Many hours were spent playing with his dogs, Sophie and Memphis, and grand-dogs, Brandi, Finn, Breezy, and Willow. His most recent joy was the birth of his first granddaughter Drew Kara.

James is survived by his loving wife, Michelle; children, Mark (Becky) Collins and Anna (Sam) Naniot; granddaughter, Drew "Drewberry" Collins; mother, Marlene Collins; mother-in-law, Elaine Le Duc; father-in-law, Claude Le Duc Jr.; sister, Lorrie (Doug) Kauffman; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Renee (Pete) Zagar, Scott (Michelle) Le Duc, Andre (Becky) Le Duc; nephews and nieces, Marty Kauffman, Andrew Kauffman, Matthew Zagar, Jackson Zagar, Joe Le Duc, Jelly Le Duc, Oscar McNamara, Gavin Le Duc, and Ruby Le Duc; aunts and uncles, Marylee (Dick) Konitzer, Bill (Chris) Collins, and Kathy Collins; cousins, Brian (Stacey) Collins, Eric (Taylor) Collins, and Katie Collins; Mark's best friend and friend of the family, Andy Swanson.

He was preceded in death by his father John "Jack" Collins, grandparents John and Eve Collins and Mark and Laverne Brouchoud, Lois Le Duc (wife of Claude), and sister-in-law, Cherri Le Duc. Family and friends may join the Collins family in a celebration of life at the De Pere Community Center, 600 Grant St, De Pere, beginning at 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023. At 3:00 p.m., a brief prayer will be shared by Fr. James Baraniak O.Praem.

The Collins family would like to extend a special thank you to the Unity Hospice team and the Aurora BayCare Medical Center doctors, nurses, and support staff; especially, Dr. James Napier and Dr. Mark Riedy.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Please also consider donating to the following organizations which were close to Jim's heart: Unity Hospice (https://unityhospice.org/donate/), Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary (https://www.heanokill.org/donate.html), and the National Brain Tumor Society (https://nbtsevents.braintumor.org/fundraiser/4583305).

Ryan Funeral Home is assisting the Collins Family.