Edwin Lee Collins

Ed was born to Joseph Tolbert Collins, Jr. and Sarah Belle (Coppock) Collins on February 15, 1918 in Campbellsville, Kentucky. He moved to Wichita and attended Allison Intermediate and Wichita High School East where he played football, basketball, and met his wife Edwana Denning. During the concluding months of WWII, Ed served in Germany with the Adjutant General Department Machine Records Unit attached to the 3rd Army. Upon returning home he joined the John L. Denning Broomcorn Company, Inc. Ed was a Director of the Union National Bank, Wichita 1949-1960. He was a licensed pilot and co-owner of a plane which he used for business and pleasure. Ed was a long time member of the Downtown Lions Club and a 42 year volunteer at Wichita Industries and Services for the Blind (Envision), 20 of which he was the President of the Board of Directors. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served several terms on the Facilities Committee. He enjoyed studying and teaching his religion. Ed was a member of the Retired Business and Professional Men’s Club. He was a supporter of WSU basketball for many years. He enjoyed growing tomatoes which he shared with friends and family.

Ed was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother, Joseph Coppock (J.C.) and two sisters Nancy Pierpont and Jane Phipps and his wife of 51 years. He is survived by a daughter, Janice Bailey; granddaughter, Julia Bailey Martin and two great grandchildren, Benjamin Martin and Bailey Martin of Wichita; and two sons, Kim of Baltimore and Timothy and two granddaughters, Emily Collins and Claire Collins of Santa Clara, CA.

A family burial was held at Old Mission Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on February 15, 2012 at Larksfield Place. Memorials have been established with the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Broadway, 67214; the Special Collections Library at Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmont, 67206, and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, 67202.

Condolences may be offered at www.devorssflanaganhunt.com.