Oct. 3, 1932 — June 12, 2015

Carl Collins, 82, of Niles, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015, at The Center for Hospice Care in South Bend, following a lengthy illness.

Born the son of Herman and Ruth (Holmes) Collins, he was born on Oct. 3, 1932, in Wabash, Indiana.

After graduating from South Bend Riley High School, Carl started working for Western Electric where he climbed the ranks quickly. He then enlisted in the United States Army, where he continued to educate himself on his trade.

He met Beverly Oler when she would come into his store. Ironically, Beverly asked if he would go out on a date to make her boyfriend jealous. Carl and Beverly didn’t spend a day apart after that and married on Nov. 27, 1953, until her passing on Aug. 23, 2010.

Carl traveled with his job extensively, including Canada and Iceland, but being home with his beautiful bride and his four children is where he felt the happiest.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Beverly, four brothers; Maxwell, Kenneth, Tom and Howard Collins, brother-in-laws Larry Oler and Donald Morningstar and sister-in-law Jan Oler.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna Collins of South Bend, his three sons; Gary (Paula) Collins, Larry and Kenneth Collins, all of Niles, grandchildren; Michael (Jacqueline) Moore, Julie Collins and Lisa (Chris) Runyon all of Niles, great-grandchildren; Alexis and Ashton Runyon, Madelynn Moore and Alyssa Hamrick, Olivia, Ethan and Joshua Moore, two sister-in-laws, Jackie Morningstar of Manchester, Vermont and Marti (George) Jensen of Sawyer, Michigan, and a brother-in-law, Robert Oler of Reseda, California.

In keeping with Carl’s wishes, his family will gather privately at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, where military honors will be rendered. The family of Carl Collins wishes to thank Dr. Henderson, Dr. Ming and Dr. Meitra and all of the physicians and nurses for the compassionate care their father received from each of them and a special thank you to his personal nurse Christy.

Memorial contributions may be made in Carl’s memory to The Center for Hospice Care at 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Indiana 46637-3437.

Photos, memories and condolences can be left for the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.