Ronald L. Collins Sr.
Died March 1, 2020
Ron was born Sept. 22, 1944 in Traverse City, the son of Arthur and Fern (Rinehart) Collins. On July 21, 1962 at the Hinshaw Family Farm he married Elma M. (Hinshaw) Collins who survives.
For a decade he was a volunteer with the Suttons Bay-Bingham Township Fire and Rescue and was a longtime supporter of all of his children’s Suttons Bay School events. There wasn’t a Suttons Bay Norsemen event that he didn’t attend for his five children.
He was a long-time member of the Suttons Bay Public Schools Sports Boosters and Band Boosters. Ron helped put up the first lights around the football field and was instrumental in fund raising for the bands stage and marching uniforms.
Ron worked for many years for Consumers Energy and later ran and operated his own vending machine business. Many kids grew up playing his quarter operated video games at Jon’s Barbershop and other venues.
He was always stopping for coffee at his aunt's and uncle’s homes to check on them and lend them a hand. He loved all music, but especially the man in black, Johnny Cash. His sons and grandsons treasure the memories of trips to the U.P. for camping at the family cabin.
His whole life he loved to hunt and fish. His first car was a Ford Model A and even into his golden years he was reading Model A Magazine. Ron enjoyed his draft horses and ponies for many years.
Ron grew up, was married, raised a family, worked and ran a business in Leelanau County. He was a man with deep love for his family, a good joke, MSU basketball, playing his trumpet and his red, white, and blue Buck Owen’s guitar.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Elma; five children, Denise Collins of Coatesville, PA, Ron (Shelly) Collins Jr. of Traverse City, Diane (Greg) Lewis of Traverse City, Dawn (Josh) Bardenhagen of Lake Leelanau, Ken (Abby) Collins of Suttons Bay; his siblings, Larry (Lou) Collins, Marie Ball, Ray (Jacque) Collins; a sister-in-law, Shirley (Jim) Eckerle; nine grandchildren, Nick Collins, Matt Collins, Jack Collins, Cori Lewis, Ben Lewis, Abe Lewis, Eli Lewis, Jake Bardenhagen and Ruby Bardenhagen; and eleven nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Kay Faust.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 9 also at the funeral home. Rev Patti Haas will officiate.
Private family burial in Bingham Township Cemetery will be held in the spring.
Memorials may be directed to the Suttons Bay-Bingham Township Fire and Rescue P.O. Box 280, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49684.
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ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
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