Merrill Collins

Merrill Collins was a vigorous and caring man who did not let adversity keep him from giving fully to family and friends.

Merrill Collins was born at a time when America was being drawn into the war in Europe. Men quickly stepped up to enlist in the war effort and women joined the country's work force, giving them a taste of competence and independence that they would hold onto even after the end of World War II. Television was becoming more available to the public and a digital computer, weighing 30 tons and standing two stories high, was first built. With all these changes came one more for James and Lillie (Barnett) Collins when their son Merrill was born on April 3, 1941 in the family home. The fourth of seven children, Merrill grew up in a small home in Jackson, Kentucky where families strove to make a life in this coal mining community. Merrill's father worked the mines and grew tobacco and small cash crops. His mother stayed home with the children, earning extra money by stitching quilts, making soap, and churning butter. The family may not have had a lot of material wealth, but their life was rich in wholesome values, skills, and lasting memories. When their father taught the boys to hunt and fish, he instilled the values of resourcefulness and responsibility by telling them not to waste bullets on target shooting. Every shot was meant to put food on the table. When any of the children needed a new pair of shoes, their father would measure their foot with a stick. Then Merrill's dad would ride his mule into town and match the stick to a new pair of shoes. Merrill would also take the opportunity to splurge on gum for his brothers and sisters. It became so common that his siblings called Merrill their "chewing gum buddy."

Merrill attended a one room schoolhouse through the eighth grade. No doubt he walked to school or hitched a ride if he could. But Merrill was used to walking long distances over hills and hollows...to visit girlfriends. Often this was to accompany them to church. Religous custom was important for families, and the Collins family would need to rely on their faith when tragedy struck. Merrill's father died when he was 11 and his brother died when Merrill was 15. He then went to live with his sister in Ohio, after he finished eighth grade. Always resourceful, Merrill found work washing windows, sweeping sidewalks, and becoming a short-order cook. From his earliest employment, Merrill gained a reputation for being a very hard worker.

As young as he was, Merrill was ready to provide for a wife and family. For several years, Merrill had corresponded with a lovely young woman whom he met as a teenager at her uncle's funeral. Flora Little became the love of his life, and Merrill moved to Michigan at age 18 to marry Flora on November 30, 1959. In their 46 years of marriage, Merrill and Flora would welcome seven wonderful children into their hearts and home: daughters Markellya, Laura, Amy, and Rebecca, and sons Joseph, Steve, and Eric.

When Merrill and Flora were first married, he found work at a paper mill in Kalamazoo. They lived with Flora's parents in Comstock while they got established. Then they moved to Galesburg where they lived for three years before moving to Parchment in 1965. Merrill worked for Georgia Pacific his entire career, often offering to work overtime. He retired in 1998 when his health began to fail. Merrill eventually lost a leg to diabetes, but that never slowed him down nor made him bitter. Merrill continued to be hard-working, self-sufficient, and generous. He always gave money for needy causes, he still fixed everything himself, and each year he took his family to visit relatives in Kentucky. From his wheelchair, Merrill shoveled snow, worked in the garden, and even hunted. He was a strong-willed man with a heart of gold.

Merrill's life with family and friends was also filled with joy. He had a good sense of humor. In fact, he was a big tease, but no one minded a laugh. Harking back to his roots, Merrill loved blue grass and country music. He cultivated a garden and was especially proud of his roses. How fitting for a man who worked hard in everything he did to make life pleasant for those around him. Merrill will surely be missed by those who love him dearly.

Merrill Collins, age 64 of Parchment, died Saturday December 3, 2005 at his home. Members of Merrill's family include his wife, the former Flora Little; children, Markellya (Robert) Yeager of Orlando, Florida, Laura (Michael) Rice of Plainwell, Amy Collins of Parchment, Joseph (Heidi) Collins of Plainwell, Steve (Lynn) Collins of Holland, and Eric (Tabitha) Collins of Comstock; 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; brothers, Franklin Quicksell of Jackson, Kentucky, James Collins of Campton, Kentucky and Wasson Collins of Bloomingdale. Merrill was preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca Taylor in January of 2005; sisters, Cheselee Parr and Grace Farr; a brother Alex Collins and his parents. Learn more about Merrill, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Life Story Funeral Home Plainwell Chapel. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Merrill's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory, or make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association.