Earl A. Collins

Earl A. Collins, born April 8, 1936, went to be with the Lord and his wife, Grace, on Monday, August 19, 2013, after a battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; his son, David; his brothers, Donald Hugh and Clyde Collins; and his sister, Lois Collins.
Earl is survived by his sons, Todd Collins, Paul (Mary Ann) Collins; his daughter, Rhonda (Gerald) Thornton; his granddaughter, Alissa (Jeremy) Lally; his grandchildren, Hannah and Daylon Collins; his great grandchild, Kain Lally; and his brothers, Dayton, Gilbert and Nolan Collins. He is also survived by his loving cousin, Nancy Moffat, who provided heart-felt care and companionship for the last two months; and his very special friends, Andrew ""Mullet"" Cospelich and Timmy Trest.
Earl was a wonderful husband, father, friend, and grandfather, and was married for fifty-five years to the love of his life, Grace, whom he took care of through her long illness. He was a master carpenter and retired from civil service at the Gulfport Seabee base. He loved to garden and was well known for his tomatoes. He especially loved to hunt and fish.
We all learned a great deal from this extraordinary man who will be sadly missed but will always be in our hearts forever, and loved more than he would know.
Our family would like to thank Paul Cook and Lisa Bissett of Gentiva Hospice for their compassion and wonderful care for our dad.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd., Long Beach, with a visitation from 9:30 AM until the service. Burial will follow at Long Beach City Cemetery.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.