Glen E. Collison

COLLISON, Glen E.
of Cooper Twp. Glen went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday afternoon, January 14, 2012 at the University of Michigan Medical Center. He was born October 17, 1941 in Kalamazoo, the son of Lyle and Ruth Pike Collison. On August 26, 1965, he was united in marriage to the former Sara L. Goldstein. Glen spent himself on behalf of others. If you lived next door, you would know him as the neighbor worth getting to know; quick with a hand, fresh produce, baked goods, or a tractor. If you visited his church you'd find Glen, faithfully serving and leading. He might be anywhere in the building armed with his Bible, props, food, and possibly an accordion. If you attended the Collison weekly Sunday school class, you'd not forget the object lessons of an admitted self- taught teacher. If you were hurting or in need, you'd discover a man of compassion, who was quick to listen and willing to put skin in the game. And should you have special needs, you encountered an able caregiver who worked diligently to make you feel at home. If you spent time in Glen's store, you would see how much he loved to market, merchandise, and cut meat. If you walked around his farm, you couldn't miss his passion for plant and animal, soil and fruit, wool, milk, and eggs. If you wandered through his work area, you would be amazed and laugh at the variety of projects undertaken. Whether working with wool, canning, cooking maple syrup, arranging flowers, making music, or cooking for large groups, you'd be awed at the breadth of his creative interests and efforts. Most of all, if you spent time in Glen's home, you would have no doubt enjoyed his hearty laughter and received some of his generous encouragement. You would have experienced an unassuming man who lived with a casual grace, unforced spirituality, and personable style that was truly rare and precious. He will be missed by his family, extended family, neighbors, friends, church, and community. Glen lived life without regret. Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Sara Collison; their three children, Michael Linda Collison of Little Chute, WI, Dan Holly Collison of Minneapolis, MN and Julie Kortz of Cooper Twp.; nine grandchildren, Alyssa, Ryan, Rachel, Logan, Walker, Atley, Calvin, Noah and Brendan; brother, Allen Norma Collison of Copper Twp.; sister, Joyce John Ross of Bowling Green, KY; and several nieces and nephews. Interment will be at 9:00 AM on Thursday in East Cooper Cemetery Riverview Drive at E. D Avenue. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00-11:00 AM Thursday at Haven Church, 5350 N. Sprinkle Road, with a funeral service at 11:00 AM, with Pastors Keith Lohman and Jim Collison officiating. As a founding member of Shalom, Inc. which provides care for adults with disabilities, in lieu of flowers, his family request memorial contributions be directed to Shalom, Inc., P.O. Box 265, Kalamazoo, MI 49004. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street.