In Memory
LeRoy Wayne Collins
Apr. 1, 1926 - Jul. 9, 2009
ELKHART - LeRoy W. Collins, 83, passed away of natural causes at 4 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2009, in his home. He was born on April 1, 1926, in South Bend, Indiana, to Everett Clyde and Irma I. Collins.
Mr. Collins retired from the South Bend Fire Department in 1978 after 20 years of service to the city, where he spent most of his time assigned to a ladder company as a tillerman (the firefighter who steers the rear of a long ladder truck). After his retirement, he worked part-time as a security guard at South Bend's Memorial Hospital. He was an avid fisherman and camper and enjoyed traveling whenever he could.
He served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
Survivors include a daughter, Terri (Dan) Hummel of Elkhart; sons, Lee E., Matthew D. and Mark W. Collins, all of South Bend; brother, Robert "Bob" (Nancy) Moffett of South Bend; sisters, Patricia (Le Roy) Zakrocki of St. Augustine, FL, and Diane (Henry J. "Rick") Mobilia of Plano, TX; and one grandchild. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a stepfather, Morris Moffett (who raised him), a brother and a daughter.
In accordance to family wishes, there will be no immediate visitation or ceremony. Cremation is to take place with a memorial service scheduled for a later date in the Veterans Section at Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart.
Services will be officiated by a chaplain from the South Bend Fire Department and military graveside honors will be rendered by the USMC Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart DAV #19. Memorials may be made to Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana/ I.A.F.F. Fallen Firefighters Benevolent Fund.
Billings Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
04/09/2021 DEC
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