Irvin C. Collins

Irvin C. "Irv" Collins, 76, New Franken, surrounded by his loving family, joined his heavenly family on August 20, 2014. Irv was one of nine children born to Frank and Myrtle (DuPont) Collins on October 12, 1937. He graduated from East High School in 1956. On September 5, 1959, he married his kindergarten sweetheart Saundra Vanden Branden at St. Phillips Parish. They raised three children who in turn blessed them with 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Family and friends were the heart of who he was.

Irv was involved in the lumber industry for most of his life having worked at Kos Lumber before managing Plywood Oshkosh in Green Bay and then Homearama later McMonagle Lumber in Sturgeon Bay. He returned to Green Bay as a salesman at Huttig Sash and Door until his retirement in 2000.

He spent the first years of retirement golfing and finishing up work on their basement turning it into a workroom, bedroom, bathroom, rec room, bar and gym. Irv always like his bar for entertaining family and friends which he did often. His motto, "I make the first drink after that you know where the bar is." After that job was done he needed more to keep him busy and drove school bus for Lamers. He loved travelling, celebrating the millennium in Fiji with friends, golfing, woodworking, building, barbershop singing, making maple syrup, manhattans and his newest friend, his dog Manny (Manhattan).

First and foremost in his life were his family and friends. You could count on him to be front row at any sporting event, pageant, school play, dance recital and fundraising activities his grandchildren were involved in up until the very end of his life. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who had a bad word to say about Irv. He smiled with his cheeks and loved deeply from his heart, he taught us many life lessons daily. As his disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) progressed he taught us to pick up our cross and bear it with dignity. NEVER ONCE did this humble man complain about the road he was walking. We are all better people for having known him.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years-Saundra, who lovingly cared for him at home with the help of her son, Scott; 3 children, Steve (Michelle) Collins of Green Bay, Scott Collins of New Franken, Jeannine (Mike) Kelsey of Sturgeon Bay; 9 grandchildren, Martin (Tiffany) Kelsey, Casaundra Collins, Jennifer Collins, Palmer Kelsey, Henry Kelsey, Arthur Kelsey, Walter Kelsey, Merrell Kelsey, Shelby Kelsey; 2 great grandchildren, Evelynn and Eleanor Kelsey; brothers, Milt (Carol) Collins, Robert (Marge) Collins, Merrill (Carol) Collins; sister-in-law, Kathy Collins; brother-in-law, Mark (Karen) Vanden Branden and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was proceded in death by his parents, Frank and Myrtle Collins; brothers, Marv Collins, Les Collins, Gaylord Collins, Gary Collins; and sister, Joyce Buchanan; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Collins, Isabelle Collins; brother-in-law, Jerry Buchanan; and nephews, Jeffrey Collins and David Collins.

Visitation will be held from 3:00pm until 7:00pm on Sunday, August 24, 2014, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay. *(Monroe Ave., is closed. Access to funeral home is available off Madison St., One Block West of Monroe Ave.,)* Visitation will continue from 9:00am until 11:00am on Monday, August 25, 2014, at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Drive, Green Bay. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am at the church.

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not a mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than then thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love" – Washington Irving