David George Collins

February 25, 1942 - December 17, 2017

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of David G. Collins on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington following a fall at home in August. David was born on February, 25, 1942 in Muskegon, the son of Charles and Elaine (Lexen) Collins and lived all his life in Ludington. He graduated from Ludington High School with the class of 1960 and married his high school sweetheart Sandra Russell in 1963. He, his dad, and a great uncle built them a home on Decker Road that served the well for the 54 years of their marriage, a lifetime together that got its start at an accidental meeting at the Franklin school ice skating rink in 1959. Over the years David worked at the Carrom Company, West Shore Builders, Sargent Sand, and finally ended his working days at Great Lakes Casting, retiring in 2000 after 30 years of service and achieving “Ironmaster” status. A retirement job at Epworth made him many new summer friends. Cutting and selling campfire wood was both a job and a pleasure. In his early years, David spent many hours bow hunting, fishing, and duck hunting on the rivers with his good friends, much of that time in the Nordhouse Dunes area. New pleasures were found later riding horses in those same dunes, which he knew like the back of his hand. “Just over the next hill” is a quote only riding companions will appreciate. After retirement, he and Sandy hit the road doing craft shows. David was fond of saying that he cut, sanded, painted, varnished, and assembled while she only did the detail. He took immense pride in all of this. David enjoyed all his time spent with his grand and great grandchildren and was always present at recitals, hockey, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer games. David will be greatly missed by his wife Sandy, their two daughters Jill Gregorski and husband John of Elk Rapids, and Robin Lott and husband Keith of Vestaburg. Grandchildren Megan, Molly, twins Mary and Monika Gregorski; Sierra (Brad) Mead and their children Brayden, Savannah, and Breylon; Casey, Riley, twins Katelyn and Madalyn Rittenhouse. David will also be remembered by his sisters Judy (Dick) Husted of Ludington, and Janet (Kurt) Mathews of Scottville, several nieces and nephews, and their favorite neighbors Royce and Colleen Rittenhouse of Ludington. David was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, aunts, uncles, and nephew Ricky Husted. At David’s request, cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time. Those who wish to remember David with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Elk Rapids Girls Varsity Basketball, c/o Elk Rapids High School, 308 Meguzee Point Road, Elk Rapids, MI 49629. He will be keeping a close eye on them the next five years. We extend a special thank you to Oakview Medical Care Facility for their kind and wonderful care of both David and Sandy the past few months.