April 1, 1926 - July 9, 2009

ELKHART -- Le Roy Wayne Collins, 83, died Thursday (July 9, 2009) at 4 a.m. at his home.

He was born April 1, 1926, in South Bend to Everett Clyde and Irma I. Collins. He was divorced.

He is survived by one daughter, Terri (Dan) Hummel of Elkhart; three sons, Lee E., Matthew D. and Mark W. Collins, all of South Bend; one brother, Robert "Bob" (Nancy) Moffett of South Bend; two sisters, Patricia (Le Roy) Zakrocki of St. Augustine, Fla., and Diane (Henry "Rick" J.) Mobilia of Plano, Texas; and one grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Morris Moffett, a brother and a daughter.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is handling arrangements. Cremation is to take place with a memorial service at a later date at the veterans section of Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart. A chaplain from the South Bend Fire Department will officiate, and military graveside honors will be rendered by the U.S. Marine Corps Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart DAV Chapter 19.

Mr. Collins served as an infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He retired from the South Bend Fire Department in 1978 after 20 years, where he spent most of his time with a ladder company as a tillerman, the firefighter who steers the rear of a long ladder truck. After retirement, he worked part time as a security guard at South Bend's Memorial Hospital. He enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling.

Memorials may be given to the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana/I.A.F.F. Fallen Firefighters Benevolent Fund. Online condolences may be sent at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.