She was born on Feb. 27, 1910, in Elkhart to Arthur and Mary (Van Tilburg) Atkinson. In 1926, she married Ernest L. Collins. He passed away in 1945. She married Donald P. Sharkey in 1958. He passed away in 1987.

Esther is survived by one son, Ernest R. Collins of Elkhart; one stepdaughter, Deborah Perkins, also of Elkhart; three grandchildren, Dennis D. Collins of Branson, Mo., Debra R. Collins of Elkhart and Daryl L. Collins of Delaware, Ohio; eight great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Delores (Collins) Holmes; a grandson, David L. Campbell; six sisters, Violet Shook, Mary Ellen Mabie, Wenonah Wise, Hope (Allen) Windbigler, Cory Ellen Windbigler and Iris Payne; and a brother, Harry Atkinson.

Friends may call two hours prior to the 4 p.m. Sunday funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Jeff Reese of Hope United Methodist Church will officiate. A private burial will follow on Monday in California Road Cemetery.

Esther retired in 1972 from C.G. Conn after 28 years of service. She loved to bake and made pies and cakes for everyone's birthdays. She was a very loving and caring mother and grandmother and a loyal friend.

Memorials may be given to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com