Fredie Lee Collins, 67, of Sherwood Township passed away peacefully Sunday, December 31, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, under hospice care.
In keeping with Fredie’s wishes, he has been cremated and the family is hosting a memorial dinner at the Burlington Church of God, 300 E. Leroy Street (M-60), from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2024.
Cremation services were provided by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City.
Fred was born February 16, 1956, in Coldwater, Michigan to James and Hattie (Willson) James Collins.
In his younger years, he enjoyed racing at Butler Motor Speedway and competing in the demolition derby and figure 8 races at the Branch County Fair. He was also a scrap dealer for most of his life. As he got older, he mostly enjoyed salmon fishing up on the Manistee River, ice fishing on Union Lake, and was an avid hunter.
Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, Donnie Grinnell, Chevy Slone, and Hunter Kidney, all of Union City.
Fred was quite the storyteller and jokester. His most repeated story through the years was of when he got beaten up by a deer! He was still upset about his watch being broken. Many would say he was just a big kid.
Fred is survived by his loving partner and best friend of 53 years, Cynthia Grinnell, his daughters, Iva Grinnell-Slone of Union City and Cindy (Kenneth) Sheriff of Sherwood, his bonus son, Kyle Kidney of Sherwood, his brothers, David (Cathy) Collins of Bronson, Daniel (Alice) Collins of Sherwood and Joseph Waltz of Kalamazoo.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, James Collins and Eddie Collins, and his sisters, Alfreda Miller and Iva Blowers.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to help with final expenses.
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