Bennie J Collins

Bennie J Collins, 81 of Fairmount, Indiana died Sunday, July 7, 2019 at the home of his son, Randall Collins in Marion, Indiana. The Lord called him home at 9:50 AM, after a 10 year battle with cancer. Bennie, was born July 18, 1937 in Marion, Indiana to the late Nelson Todd Collins and Leah Ethelene Nusbaumer. He married his wife of 60 years Alice Loretta Keller, August 2, 1958 at the Methodist church in Van Buren, Indiana, She preceded him in death, this past January, 19 of 2019. He attended Van Buren High School, Van Buren, Indiana. He formerly worked at RCA (Thomson Electronics) for 20 years before becoming disabled in a motorcycle accident in 1975. At RCA he was a fort truck driver and machine attendant. He played on the RCA Basketball factory team and was league champions twice in the 70s. He formerly volunteered with Area VI Council on Aging Meals On Wheels program as a delivery driver. He was a little league baseball coach in Fairmount for many years. He attended Hillside Wesleyan Church, Marion, Indiana he also attended Westminster Presbyterian Church, Marion, Indiana. He was a founding member of Fairmount Round Robins CB Club. Where he came up with the club name Round Robins. His CB handle was Gentle Ben and he lived up to that name as he was a very loving and giving person that would do anything for anybody. Bennie enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden. He would grow them and harvest them. He would sell some, can some and give away much of the produce he grew to family and friends. He was the unofficial Town of Fairmount Greeter as he would sit at the Village Pantry greeting people passing through Fairmount. No one was a stranger to him. He also loved spending time with his family and grandchildren, going to family reunions, their sporting events and playing cards. He was an avid sports fan. He loved the Colts, Reds, Cubs, IU, Notre Dame and Purdue teams. Surviving are 3 sons; Phillip J. Collins, Fairmount, Indiana Bradley T. (Amanda) Collins, Kokomo, Indiana and Randall W. Collins, Marion, Indiana. Brother, Michael (Charlotte), Marion, Indiana. Grandchildren; Jennifer Collins, Natasha (Greg) Ulrey, Shantel Hollingsworth, Tiffany (Clay) Kittinger, Brady Collins, Madison Collins, Brooklyn Collins, and Brandon A. Worthington. 9 great-grandchildren. Daughter-in-law, Mary (Jody) Collins-Burnworth, Marion, Indiana. Sister-in-law; Carol Keller, Andrews, Indiana. Brother-in-law; Bill (LeeAnn) Keller, Marion, Indiana. Nieces; Loretta Sperling, Carolyn Gause, Sarah (Joe) Boller, Kelly Slagle, Judy (Robert) Hodson, Sharon (Scott) Pattison, Sandra Collins, Debra Keller, Kim (Dan) Glover, Kathryn (Dave) Ritzenthaler, Jane Castator, Tami (Denver) Tiller, Patricia Julian , Vicky (Brian) Baker, Valerie (Erik) Murdock. Nephews; Truman (Ruby) Welch, Don (Juanita) Welch, Richard (Darlene) Collins, Doug (Terrri) Collins, Frank Collins, Patrick (Linda) Collins, Barry Collins, Brian Collins, Jeff Collins, Michael Jr. (Deanna) Collins, Matthew (Amanda) Taylor, Richard Herndon, Rodney (Bernadette) Herndon. Several great and great great nieces and nephews. Bennie was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Alice L. on January 19, 2019, a son, Larry Collins, Sisters; Mildred Isreal, Ethelene Rhoten, Emily Cole, Elizabeth Mullican, Corrinne Collins. Brothers; Nelson K. Collins, Richard Sr. Collins, Frank Sr. Collins, Fred Collins, Marvin Collins. Nieces; Tena Johnson and Stacy Dunning; nephews; Curtis D. Welch, David N. Collins, Nelson T. Collins II, Steven N. Collins. Services for Bennie have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel, Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main St., Farimount, Indiana. Family will receive friends Wednesday July 10, 2019 from 4-8 PM, funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 11, 2019 with Rev. Gary Bingham, and Rev. Jeff Jahn officiating at the funeral home. Interment will be at Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana. Memorial contributions are to Cancer Services of Grant County in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.comVisitation Wed, Jul 10, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Fairmount Chapel - Armes - Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services 415 S Main StreetFairmount, IN 46928-1929Funeral Service Thu, Jul 11, 2019 at 10:00 am Fairmount Chapel - Armes - Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services 415 S Main StreetFairmount, IN 46928-1929