BOURBON - Gary J. Collins, 49, Bourbon, died at 5:45 a.m. Feb. 4, 2011, at Kosciusko Community Hospital of natural causes.
He was born April 24, 1961 in Plymouth, to Arthur Eugene and Lorraine Urban Collins. On Oct. 20, 1984, he married Rosemary Yockey, who survives.
He was a 1980 graduate of Triton High School, and a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He was the assistant chief with the Bourbon Police Department, and was a reserve officer from 1989 until he was sworn in full time in 1993. He was also the DARE officer at Triton Elementary School and a substitute school bus driver for Triton Community Schools. He was a member of the Bourbon Town Council. He was a faithful member of Riverside United Methodist Church.
Also surviving are two daughters: Danielle Collins and Jeanna Collins (and fiancé Andy Lidecker), all of Bourbon; four sisters: Kathy Wilson, Fort Wayne; Nancy (and spouse John) Wood, Milford; Lynn Collins, Warsaw; Alice Richard, Springfield, Mass.; six brothers: Ken (and spouse Brenda) Collins, and Ted Collins, all of Warsaw; Terry Collins, Nappanee; Harry (and spouse Jean) Collins, Art Collins, and Leroy Collins all of Connecticut. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, a sister and two brothers.
A public celebration of his life will be at the Triton High School Auditorium from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday with a memorial at 8 p.m. with Pastor Gail Law officiating. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Riverside United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon.
Calling is one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, is handling arrangements.
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Memorials to the Nathan Collins Scholarship fund.
Condolences may be sent online at deaton-clemensfh@cyberlinkint.com
