Marion C. Collins

Marion C. "Bud" Collins, age 84, formerly of Curtice, OH, residing at ClareBridge of Monroe, Mi., passed away Feb. 11, 2013. Marion was born Jan. 14, 1929, in Toledo to Clyde S. and Edna M. Collins. Marion graduated from Macomber HS and was a veteran of the US Army. He then began a lifelong career as a railroader. M.C., as he was referred to, began shoveling coal into steam engines for the B. & O. RR, then Nickel Plate RR and retired in 1987, after 39 years, as engineer for Norfolk Southern RR.
Marion proposed to his wife Helyn L. (Miller) by his comment, "I'm going to the jewelry store. Are ya comin'?" Helyn preceded him in death as did his sister, Ruth Duket. Marion and Helyn were married 58 years and are survived by their children: Mark C. (Sally) Collins of Curtice and Patricia A. (Greg) Smith of Toledo.
Marion was an Explorer Post 133 leader, president of Hillanlake Homeowners Assoc'n (Vineyard Lake), volunteer firefighter for Allen Twp. VFD (Ottawa Co.), and local chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers for many years.
Our beloved Poppa is survived by his grandchildren: Douglas (Becca) Smith of San Diego, Amy (Doug) Warfield of Columbus, Christie Collins (fiancé Travis Limbert) of Maumee, step-grandson, Jeremiah Smith of Tampa, and several nieces and nephews. Marion is also the great-grand Poppa of Logan Smith and his soon-to-be twin siblings of San Diego.
Marion's family would like to thank the staff of ClareBridge of Monroe for their compassion, care, and love as his extended family these past 4 years.
Memorials may be made to the Toledo Animal Shelter. A celebration of Marion's life will be private.
"I hear the train a comin'. It's rollin’ round the bend..."

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