MOUNT VERNON, Ky. — Thomas E. Collins, 70, of Mount Vernon and formerly of Elkhart, Ind., passed away Sunday, Nov. 2, in Kentucky.

He was born Oct. 24, 1944, in Mount Vernon to the late James and Bertha Mae (Westerfield) Collins.

He married Helen L. Nichols on July 27, 1964, in Three River, Mich. She died Jan. 31, 2004.

He then married Margaret Robinson. She died in January of this year.

Surviving are his sons, Tom (Shannon) Collins and Jim Collins, and a daughter, Tina (Tim) Heintzelman, all of Elkhart; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother Lee Collins of Mount Vernon; and sister Bernice Gates of Sarasota, Fla.

He was preceded in death by 11 brothers and sisters.

Thomas formerly worked at Elkhart Steel Service and Rite-Way Steel of Elkhart. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Cremation has taken place. Burial will be at a later date in Little Pine Cemetery in Goshen.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart.

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