He was born Sept. 20, 1921, at "Locust Lawn," Prompton, Pa., son of the late Joseph and Elsie Collins, and was a graduate of Waymart High School, Waymart, Pa. Upon graduation from Maryville College in Tennessee, Rev. Collins was accepted at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J. On June 5, 1947, Rev. Collins was ordained by the Lackawanna Presbytery. It was the first ordination solemnized in the Douglas Presbyterian Church's history. During his ministry in the Douglas Church, the Lackawanna Presbytery appointed him as Stated Supply of the Welsh Presbyterian Church in Warrior Run. He later served as pastor at the Grant Street Presbyterian Church. During his time in the Wyoming Valley, Rev. Collins was also appointed as Chaplain of Luzerne County Sunday School Association, Chaplain of the County Prison and Correctional System, Chaplain for the Masonic Lodge No. 474 Chapter, and Commandery, Knights Templer, and Irem Temple. He was well known for his equestrian ability, as well as for his pure-bred poodles, which were champions in confirmation and obedience competition.
Brothers Joseph, Harold, Eldon (Pat), Ellis (Ike), and sister Lola preceded him in death.
He is survived by a sister-in-law, Dorothy Collins of Waymart, Pa., and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces/nephews including:
Lola Fornes and husband Dennis of Grantsboro, N.C., and daughter, Rebecca Fornes, children Jacob, Lucas, and Jaylen Fornes of Grantboro, Pa., son Jonathan Fornes and wife, Katie, children Ashley, Allison, and Jackson Fornes of Fort Riley, Kan.; Jo Marie Collins of Wilmington, N.C., and son, Maxwell Sargent Jr. (Washington, N.C.), daughter, Della Sargent (Mexico), daughter, Betsy Stalls (Wilmington, N.C.), and son, Aaron Lynch (Wilmington, N.C.), Jerlyan Watson and husband Robert of South Gibson, Pa., and children, Janet Lyons and husband Auburn of South Gibson, Pa., Sandra Weston and husband Christopher of South Gibson, Pa., Robert Watson of South Gibson, Pa., and Bridget Watson of Orlando, Fla., Patty Rowe and husband Jerry of Honesdale, Pa., children Jody and Jason, Dr. Joseph Collins, Arizona, Mark Collins, Prompton, Pa., Cindy Teada and husband, Chris of Henryville, Pa., and children Mandy Teada, Scott Teada, and Justin Teada of Tannersville, Pa., James Duane Collins and wife Catherine of Lake Ariel, Pa., and daughter Christin Driscoll and husband, Ryan, daughter Sarah Conley and husband, Ted, and son, Stephen Collins.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 20, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, N.C. Friends may call after the service. Interment will be at Prompton Cemetery, Prompton, Pa.
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