Donnie Collins 1951-2016
Donnie Lee Collins, 64, Topeka, formerly of Holton, died Saturday, March 19, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital.
He was born Oct. 29, 1951, in Holton, the son of Don D. and Lela Faye Fisher Collins. He graduated from Holton High School in 1971.
Mr. Collins served in the Kansas Air National Guard from 1972 to 1978. He worked as a dispatcher for the Holton Police Department. In 1996, he graduated from Kansas Law Enforcement Training in Hutchinson. After graduation, he served as a Holton police officer and later served as Jackson County Undersheriff. He was also an EMT and a volunteer firefighter for many years.
He was a member of First Christian Church in Holton, Holton VFW, VFW Riders and Holton Optimist Club.
He married Cindy Patton on Nov. 18, 1972, in Holton. They divorced.
Survivors include his father, Don D. Collins, Topeka; three children, Shannon Haire and husband Mike, Topeka, Jory Collins and wife Casey, Emporia, and Morgan Gerhardt and husband Chad, Topeka; a sister, Linda K. Floyd, Topeka; a brother, Roger Collins and wife Barb, Holton; seven grandchildren, Griffin, Carson and Conner Haire, Jett and Jude Collins and Hunter and Bodey Gerhardt; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with military honors will be held in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or First Christian Church, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
