Elmer Ronall Collins, 92, of Concordia, Kansas passed away peacefully on December 13, 2014. He was a devout Catholic with a strong love of God, Country, Family and Friends.

Elmer was born on March 24, 1922 on his family farm near Aurora, Kansas to Lewis and Rama (Slater) Collins. He had one older sister, Lucille Hazlett and husband Clarence, both deceased and his younger sister, Betty Gawith and husband Leroy of Minneapolis, KS who he enjoyed spending time with and could always get a good home cooked meal.

Elmer attended school to the 8 ^th grade. He worked hard and shared his work ethic with others. Elmer joined the Marine Corp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific Theatre with action on Guadalcanal, Guam and Iwo Jima. When he returned to the states, he went to work for the Cloud County Highway Department and retired from there after a total of 60+ years. In addition, Elmer enjoyed multiple part-time jobs such as bulk mail delivery, floral delivery and working with Dan Koch Excavating. Elmer was a grader operator extraordinaire.

Elmer married Marcelle Ann Mastek on August 6, 1951. They were married until Marcelle's death on January 3, 1996. They are now able to be together again. To their union were born 6 children, Kathleen Ann White (Husband H. Wayne White, Jr.) of Lake Bridgeport, TX; Jeanne Marie Collins (Deceased); Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Collins (Wife Sheila Hamel Collins) of Concordia, KS; Daniel Joseph Collins – Deceased (Wife Janene Eich Collins of St. Joseph, MO), Christine Collins-Thoman (Husband Mark "Chris" Thoman) of Derby, KS and Donald Gene Collins of Davenport, IA. Elmer was blessed with grandchildren including Darcie White; Zebulon White; Marc Collins and friend, Becci Burkhart; Luke Collins and wife Candice; Derrick Collins and wife Christy; Adrienne Collins; Aubrey Thoman and friend Matt Brown; and Paige Thoman and Fiance Nick Grimmett. Elmer also was able to enjoy 4 great-granchildren, Shelby White; Braxton and Jaxson Collins; and Bentley Thoman. In addition, Elmer is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Elmer had a zest for life, loved to dance, play cards, engage in practical jokes and tell stories. He enjoyed making people react to his antics and would tell and retell his version of what would occur. He cared about others and had many friends who filled his life. Elmer also remained active in the American Legion, VFW, Knights of Columbus and the Marine Corps League.

It was Elmer's wishes to be cremated and a Memorial Mass will be held at 10 am, Wed., Dec. 17, 2014 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Rev. Brian Lager officiating. Burial of the cremains will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, Aurora with Military honors by American Legion Post #76, VFW Post #588 and the US Marine Corps. Friends may sign the register book from 9 am to 9 pm with a Rosary at 6:30 pm, Tues., Dec. 16, 2014 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church or St. Peter's Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.