May 4, 1939 - March 2, 2012

ELKHART — Kenneth O. Collins, 72, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, at Kindred Hospital of Northern Indiana, Mishawaka, after a long illness.

He was born on May 4, 1939, in Freeman, W.Va., to Raleigh E. and Ollie Bell (Call) Collins.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Bernadette (Hess) Collins; daughter Melanie Collins; and a brother, John Collins. Surviving are a son, Jesse Collins of Texas; brother Eugene Collins of Bluefield, W.Va; and his friend of 41 years, C. Ray Stacy of Elkhart.

Kenneth had a long and varied career, from working on bridges on the East Coast for Diamond Construction, to being a cowboy in Montana, and working in the mobile home industry in Elkhart. He also had a general contracting business in Elkhart and Mt. Pleasant, Texas, where he had a shoe repair and a boutique shop called the "Unique Shop." He retired in 1995 due to ill health.

Kenneth served in the West Virginia National Guard and also in the U.S. Army in Germany with Hq. Co. 1st. Airborne, 54th Infantry, 4th. Armored Division.

He enjoyed gardening, fishing, gourmet cooking and barbecuing.

A gathering of friends and family will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The evening will conclude at 7 p.m. with the folding and presentation of the flag by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail.

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