Howard Leon “Skip” Collins

Howard Leon “Skip” Collins

Aug. 23, 1945 – March 29, 2020

OSAGE CITY — Howard Leon “Skip” Collins died Sunday, March 29, 2020, in Osage City. He was 74.

He was born Aug. 23, 1945, in Goodland, the son of Howard Beryl and Alta Lucy Cambridge Collins. He graduated from Weskan High School.

He proudly served his country for three years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, doing a tour as a radar man aboard the USS Lowry. After returning home from the service, Skip worked the family farm and earned his private pilot’s license. As a child, he always dreamed of flying and he was very proud to have accomplished that dream. He was also an active member of the Sharon Springs Masonic Lodge.

He married Karen Lee McCann in 1976 and to this union two children were born, Natalie Kay and Christopher Ray. He lived most of his life in Weskan, until his health forced him to move closer to his son in Osage City.

Skip was a strong, caring man who would do anything for his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, took great pride in his yard and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, all of whom he was very proud. He loved the land that he farmed and the country that he served. He will be dearly missed.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Phyllis Hurley and Janice Mote; and three brothers-in-law, Raymond Baehler, Keith Magwire and OD Mote.

He is survived by a sister, Linda Baehler, Weskan; a daughter, Natalie and son-in-law, Mike; two grandchildren, Lauren and Sebastian Rush, Jenks, Okla.; a son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Jessica; three grandchildren, Elijah, Connor and Colton Collins, Osage City; and former wife, Karen Collins, Tulsa, Okla.

Private family graveside services will be held at Weskan Cemetery, Weskan.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Springs Masonic Lodge 417 and sent in care of Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Condolences may be expressed at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Sharon Springs.