Kenneth E. Collin

Kenneth Emmerson Collin of Freeport, Illinois passed away at age 81 on Monday, September 21, 2026. He died at Mercyhealth Hospital-Freeport after a short illness.

Ken was born on February 14, 1945 in Freeport, Illinois to Emmerson and Dorothy Collin. He grew up with his younger brothers, Gene and Vern, and his younger sister, Janet. Ken graduated from Dakota High School in 1963 and attended Highland Community College and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

On November 25, 1972, Ken married Jill Sanford in Huron, South Dakota. They raised two children in Freeport, where they lived through the end of Ken’s life.

Over his career, Ken worked at Burgess Battery, Ingersoll Milling, Newell, Economy Insurance, and National Manufacturing. Ken also ran his own one-man information-technology consulting company.

Ken loved playing and watching sports including baseball, softball, golf, racketball, and pickleball, which he was instrumental in popularizing in Freeport. He enjoyed travelling the world with his wife and friends, visiting everywhere from Peru to Scotland to India. He also enjoyed wine and investing, though usually not together.

Ken was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He was a longtime supporter of Friends Forever Animal Shelter. Ken also made major contributions to local and state parks. He served as Freeport Park District Commissioner for twenty years. Among other accomplishments, he led the effort to build pickleball courts in Krape Park in Freeport. Ken sat on the board of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and served as chairman in 2016. Ken was named Illinois Park District Commissioner of the Year in 2023 and retired that year from the Freeport Park District Commission.

One of Ken’s defining attributes was his wonderful sense of humor. He could get a laugh from anyone, ages three to ninety-three.

Ken is survived by his wife, Jill, his daughter Alicia Duell, his son Ross Collin, and his daughter-in-law, Danielle Wroblewski. His grandchildren are Emmerson and Ada Duell and Grant Collin. Ken is also survived by his mother Dorothy Holland and his brothers Gene and Vern Collin. He was predeceased by his father Emmerson Collin and his sister Janet Stocker.

Visitation for Ken will be held on Friday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 S. Park Blvd. in Freeport. The memorial service will be held at St. John at 11:00. After the service, a reception will be held at 12:30 downstairs at Cannova’s Italian Cuisine, 1101 W. Empire St. in Freeport. Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home is managing arrangements.

Ken’s family would appreciate memorial donations to Freeport Park District (1122 S. Burchard Ave., Freeport, IL 61032) and Friends Forever Animal Shelter (966 W. Rudy Rd., Freeport, IL 61032).

Remember Ken Collin, a good man.