Gerald L. Collins, 76, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Urbana, Ohio. He was born on June 13, 1933, in Hardin County to the late James B. and Esta Verne (Wilgus) Collins.  He was also preceded in death by three sisters.

On May 1, 1953, he married Carol Burden in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and she survives along with their children, Christopher (Laurie) Collins of Lakeview, Ohio, Bruce (Tammy) Collins and Lori (Scott) Herrmann both of Columbus, Ohio, and Pamela Phelps of Bellefontaine; two sisters, Eileen Plummer of Lima, Ohio, and Beryl Boles of Kenton, Ohio; eleven grandchildren, Tosh, Maxwell, & Samuel Collins all of Lakeview, Ian, Emily & Amanda Collins and Shelby & Luke Herrmann all of Columbus, and Daniel, Eric, & Jared Phelps, all of Bellefontaine.

He was a machinist for Rockwell International for twenty two years, and later worked as an assembler and inspector at Bellemar retiring in 1996.

A 1951 graduate of Ridgeway High School, Gerald was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bellefontaine.  He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing country and bluegrass style music with the �Collins Family Band�.

Calling hours are Wednesday, July 1, 2009,  from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 2, 2009, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bellefontaine, with Father Jim Miller officiating.  Burial will follow the service in the Calvary Cemetery in Bellefontaine.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association  15120 Collections Center Drive (15120=Lbx #), Chicago, IL 60693. 

Online condolences to the family may be expressed at www.eichholtzfuneralhome.com