Vernon LeRoy Collins
July 20, 1918-April 2, 2002
Vernon LeRoy Collins, 83, of State Line Road, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 10:57 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2002, in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.
He was born on July 20, 1918, in Niles, to Malcolm and Lena (Starke) Collins, and spent most of his life in Niles. He retired in 1975 after 36 years of employment with the Kawneer Company.
Mr. Collins was a member of Saint John's United Church of Christ in Niles, and was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army in the 7th Armored Division as a tank commander. He was a member of American Legion Post 26, VFW Post 4025, DAV Chapter 55 Order of Trench Rats, all in Niles, the 25-Year Club of Kawneer, and the Niles Auxiliary Police.
On Sept. 18, 1965, in Niles, he married the former Helen Jones, who died in 1980. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Helen A. Stephens, who died Oct. 20, 1991; and by a brother, Malcolm Collins Jr., who died July 4, 1980.
Mr. Collins is survived by two nephews, Gary Edwards Shinholt of South Bend, Ind., and Richard L. Shinholt of Los Angeles, Calif.; and by a niece, Barbara Parks of Niles.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today, Friday, April 5, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Reverend Fred T. Smith of South Niles Community Church officiating.
A veteran's flag presentation officiated by Mr. Harry Roberts of American Legion Post 26 will follow the committal at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
The family received friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Contributions in memory of Vernon LeRoy Collins may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.