John L. "Rodney" Collins

Newport, Ind. -- John L. 'Rodney" Collins, 83, of Newport, Indiana, passed away at 10 a.m. EDT Monday (July 10, 2006) at the Heritage House of Clinton in Clinton, Indiana He was born March 5, 1923, in Newport, Indiana, the son of the late Leander and Leona Chambers Collins. He married Elsie F. Hatch on February 14, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She preceded him in death on July 15, 2001. Survivors include one son, Kenneth Wayne (Jeanne) Collins of Newport, Indiana; two grandsons, Kevin Dale (Gina) Collins of Cayuga, Indiana and Kirby Gene Collins of Newport, Indiana; two great granddaughters, Kara and Ashley Collins and two step great granddaughters, Jessie and Haley Stout; one brother, Norman Collins of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was preceded in death by two sisters. Rodney retired from General Electric in Danville, Illinois after 30 years in the maintenance department. He and his wife owned and operated the Collins Greenhouse in Newport, Indiana for 22 years. He was a veteran of W.W. II and the Korean Conflict serving with the United States Army attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. Rodney was a 1941 graduate of Newport High School. He was a member of the Newport United Methodist Church and the Newport American Legion Post #184. He was a former member of the Newport Lions Club. He enjoyed gardening, reading and was an avid Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Funeral services: 10 a.m. EDT Friday, July 14, 2006 at DeVerter Brothers Funeral Home in Cayuga, Indiana; Officiating: Rev. Jon Overbey; Burial: Thomas Cemetery in Newport, Indiana; Visitation: Thursday, July 13, 2006 from 4 to 8 p.m. EDT at the funeral home. Family request contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Wabash Valley, 600 South 1St Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807 or to the Newport United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 263, Newport, Indiana 47966-0263. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home. Condolences: www.deverterfuneralhome.com.