Larry J Collins, 74, of Butler, entered eternal rest on 17 November 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Herman, 9 May 1946, he was the 6th of 9 children born to Albert J and Mildred C Beneigh Collins.
Larry started school at St. Michael’s, then attended St. Peter’s, graduating from the Butler Area Senior High School in 1964. After graduation he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served in various parts of the world during his 4 years of service. He enjoyed training service dogs while in North Africa. That tour of duty included a year in Cuba and one in Vietnam, where he was wounded. He was honorably discharged in 1968 and came home to Butler.
Larry was employed by Angler Products, Armco, then spent over 46 years as a meat-cutter for Friedman’s Supermarkets, Slater’s, Miller’s Meat Market, Sam’s Club, and Giant Eagle, before retiring from the Butler Farm Market in July of 2020.
His main hobbies were fishing, bowling, and listening to DooWop music. He also loved spending time with his granddaughters, Gracen and Emerson and volunteering for the Butler County Historical Society.
Larry is survived by his wife, Patricia Sweesy Collins, to whom he was married for over 41 years, their three children, Sarah Collins and Laura (Dennis) Taylor of MD, and Steven Collins of Butler; two grandchildren Gracen and Emerson Taylor; daughter Donna (David) Andres of KS; four sisters, Judy (Glenn) Weiland of Butler, Patty (Bill) Young of Chicora, Darlene (Ray) Kaskie of CO; and Diane (Brad) Winrader of Slippery Rock; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert and Thomas Collins; and two sisters; Kay (Michael) Steele and Janice (Carmen) Scialabba.
All services will be held privately through the SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA 16001 WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM
The family asks in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be sent to the Butler VA Hospital or to Wounded Warriors.
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