Don Collins 1925-2020
Don D. Collins of Holton died Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, while in hospice care at Vintage Park. He was 94 years old.
He was born Nov. 6, 1925, in Welch, Okla., to Dewey and Gussie Collins. He grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from the high school in Pryor, Okla.
In 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served with the 8th Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theatre, Philippines, and Okinawa during World War II. After his discharge in 1946, he moved to Kansas, where he raised livestock at Muddy Creek Ranch for 10 years.
He became a member of the Holton Police Department in January 1957. In April 1960, he was promoted to Chief of Police, where he served for eight years; he was also a member of the Holton Volunteer Fire Department. In 1965, he was elected Jackson County Sheriff. He held this position for 24 years and retired in 1989, after serving 32 distinguished years in law enforcement.
He married Lela Faye Fisher on Dec. 8, 1950, in Holton.
Survivors include a son, Roger Collins (Barbara) of Holton; a daughter, Linda Floyd (Tim) of Holton; two sisters, Wauneta Robertson of Topeka and Belva Miffleton of Schertz, Texas; two brothers, George Collins of Sun Land, Calif., and Truman Collins of Topeka; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lela Faye Collins; two sons, Donnie and Gary Collins; five sisters, Lucille Wood, Judy Copenhefer, Helen Collins, Betty Vickrey and Glenda Stenger; and two brothers, Ted and Joe Collins.
Outside of his law enforcement career, he was a member of the Committee Chairman for Holton Cub Scout Pack 64, President of the Holton Men’s Softball League and an active member of the Lakeview Faith Chapel in Holton.
He was an avid Holton High School, Kansas City Royals, Emporia State Girls Basketball and Oklahoma Sooners sports fan. He also enjoyed fishing, attending rodeos, camping and family gatherings.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with military honors will follow in Holton Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the funeral home. The family requests attendees to dress in Royals apparel in honor of Don. The family does request all attendees to wear a mask for the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holton Community Hospital Hospice or Holton Community Hospital Nursing Department, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
