Charles Robert Collier, 93, of Pierceton, Ind., passed away sitting in his favorite chair at home at 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at his residence.

He was born on March 7, 1921, in Pierceton, Ind., to Treve F. Collier and Eileen (Miller) Collier. On Feb. 14, 1946, he was married in Warsaw, Ind., to Valda Vere (Fruit) Collier, who survives in Pierceton.

He was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., and a 1940 graduate of Pierceton High School. He was a fireman on a steam locomotive for Penn Central Railroad, till he joined the U.S. Army, 8th Air Corp and fought in the Philippines during WW II for 26 months.

After the war he drove truck for Murphy Trucking Company, hauling eggs to New York till he started Collier Oil Company just outside Pierceton in 1956. Valda and Charles ran the company for 35 years until its closing in 1991. He drove a school bus for Pierceton/Whitko schools for 17 years and he was co-owner of Collier Excavating and also farmed with his son, Mark Collier, till his death.

He was a 67-year member of Post #258 in Pierceton where he was the Past Commander as well as the oldest living member. Charles was also a member of the 40/8, and a 72-year Gold member of the Masonic Lodge #377 Pierceton, Past Patron of Order of Eastern Star Chapter #56 in Pierceton, longtime member of the Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shriners of Fort Wayne and he was a member of the Pierceton Presbyterian Church. Charles always showed great compassion for his friends, family and his country.

He is survived by his wife: Valda Vere Collier, Pierceton; sons: James (Linda) Collier, Warsaw; Lew (Terri) Collier, Warsaw; Chuck (Lise) Collier, Pierceton; Tim (Deborah) Collier, Pierceton; and Mark Collier, Sidney, Ind.; daughters: Sharon (Harold) Lehman, Pierceton; Colleen (Mike) Trueblood, North Manchester, Ind.; Marsha (Greg) Holmes, Angola, Ind.; 26 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Marion; a sister: Martha; and his daughter-in-law: Pam.

His visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 25, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and conducted by the Pierceton Masonic Lodge #377. There will also be visitation prior to the service from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the funeral home. The service will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home and be officiated by Pastor Billy Smith. Military Honors will be conducted by the Pierceton American Legion Post #258. Burial will be at a later date at Hillcrest Cemetery of Pierceton.

Memorials may be directed to the Pierceton American Legion Post #258, P.O. Box 535, Pierceton, IN 46562, or to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196.

To sign the guest register or leave online condolences, visit the Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home website.