Obituaries: Collins

Gary Collins
Gary Collins

Gary Collins

Gary D. Collins, 75, of Bloomington, passed away at 12:15 a.m., Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 at his home.

A family interment will be private. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements. Gary was born November 5, 1941 in Galesburg, the son of Harry A. and Mary M. Collins. He married Patricia Link on Sept. 7, 1963 in Abingdon, Ill.

Surviving are his wife Patricia, one daughter Barbara (Brian) Detweiler of Bloomington and two sons Michael Collins of Hudson and Chad (Lyndsey) Collins of Bloomington, 4 grandchildren, Kelsey (Jeff) Jurgonski of South Bend, IN, Dustin (Kelsey) Detweiler of Champaign, Cody and Hunter Collins of Hudson. Also surviving is a brother Clarence (Joan) Collins of Galesburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Frances Collins Strom.

Gary graduated from Abingdon High School and worked for GTE. He was a member of the NRA, enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an avid Cub fan.

To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…