Gerald Ray Collins Sr.

Gerald Ray Collins Sr., 85, of Shelbyville died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010, at Major Hospital. Born Sept. 27, 1924, in Shelby County, he was the son of Ora Collins and Mabel Elkins. He married Naomi Ross on Aug. 8, 1942, and she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Nancy A. (husband, Dannie) Alford-Gable of Shelbyville; son, Gerald Ray (wife, Sharon) Collins Jr. of Manilla; grandchildren, Diane Marie Kuhn, Kara Lynn Brown and Jeffrey David Alford; and great-grandchildren, Kent Brown, Alyssa Brown, Rachael Brown, Danielle Kuhn, Ashley Kuhn, Christine Kuhn, Richard Kuhn and Andrew Alford. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Alice Collins; two brothers; and one sister. Mr. Collins had been employed at Omar Bakery from 1946 to 1967; then at Christian Chevrolet in Greenfield for eight years; and retired from Knauf Fiberglass in 1986, after 12 years of service. He enjoyed flying his airplanes and riding motorcycles. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service and Crematory, 703 S. Harrison St. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shelbyville-Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, IN 46176; or Shelby County Cancer Association, 126 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.