Obituary of Considine "Butch" Clyde Collins

Butch Collins, age 77, of Monroe passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 with his devoted family around him. Butch was born on September 23, 1939 born in Detroit, Michigan. He was one of five children born to George Collins, Jr. (deceased) and Irma (Warrick) Collins (deceased). Butch graduated from Flat Rock High School in 1958 and joined the United States Army. He served honorably for two years in the 101st Airborne Division (“Screaming Eagles”). On April 20, 1968, Butch married, Judith Van Riper, at Flat Rock Methodist Church and together they raised three children. Butch began a decade’s long career as a locomotive engineer with the D.T. & I. which allowed him to proudly support his family and give them a good life. Butch was generous and well-liked in his community. He was athletic and enjoyed sports, particularly baseball. He also loved to bowl, and he golfed well into his later years in life. And, of course, Butch was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. But, above all, family was most important to Butch. He was a protective and strong pillar in the center of his family. He loved his children and grandchildren. He made sure everyone in the family knew how much he loved and cherished his wife, Judy, and considered her as his rock. Butch would often say he could not imagine his life without his Judy. To cherish his memory, Butch leaves behind his beloved wife, Judith Collins; his children, Julie (Mark) Amos of Monroe, Douglas (Tootie Smith) Collins of Springfield, Ohio, Pamela Collins Mains of Las Vegas, Nevada, Patrick (Angie) Collins of Lexington Park, Maryland; his siblings, Oliver (Janet) Collins of Monroe, Shelly Buckle of Monroe; sister-in-law, Thelma Collins of Kentucky; brother-in- law, Jack Shaw of Woodhaven; and thirteen grandchildren, Bennett Mains, Aaron Thibeault, Danielle Grant, Elizabeth Jenkins, Sister Mary Help of Christians, Jesse, Gabriel, Luke, Mary, Matthew, John, Stephen and Lydia Collins. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by his brother, George Collins Jr., and his sister, Carol Collins. On Sunday, February 12, friends and family are invited to gather at the Flat Rock Community Center, One Maguire Street, Flat Rock, MI to celebrate and remember Butch’s life. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. with an informal memorial following at 3:00 p.m. Online guests may leave words of comfort and inspiration or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.