David Owen Collins

Visitation: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday @ our Miller & Miller Colonial Chapel, at 7 p.m. memorial service & 10 am to service time at the church

Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church, 14340 Old State Rd. entombment at Oak Hill Cemetery

David Owen Collins, 85, of Evansville, died Saturday August 5, 2017, at St. Vincent Hospital, Evansville. He was born in Richland City, Indiana, November 29, 1931.  He was the youngest of 5 children born to Walter Q. and Nettie Marie (Jolly) Collins.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Madeline Hayford, Geneva Parker, Bettie Kincaid and Robert Collins, his wives Cecil Ann (Friedel) and Sylvia (Barnett) and a son, Mark David .

He graduated from Rockport High School in 1949 and joined the Navy shortly thereafter so that he could support his mother as his father had died when he was about 15 years old.  He served proudly as a radio repairman aboard the USS Floyd B. Parks DD884 during the Korean War. For many years, he and Sylvia attended the annual USS Floyd B. Parks DD884, reunions.

After leaving the Navy, he returned to Rockport where he met and married Cecil Ann Friedel in 1954 while they both worked for Indiana Bell.  Two children were born to them, Elizabeth (Beth) Ann and Mark David. 

One of the favorite family pastimes was square dancing, and they belonged to the Washington Square Knots and the 808 Rambler square dance clubs.

Cecil Ann passed away in 1981 and it was through square dancing that he met and married Sylvia in 1982.

David was an active member of Central Methodist Church where he was a trustee.  Later, he was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

David retired from Indianas Bell Telephone/AT&T after many years of service.  He was a longtime member of the Bell Conservation Club "The 80" where he enjoyed target shooting and helping with mowing and where he and his family enjoyed picnicking.

David loved to fix and build things.  When Beth and Mark David were small, he even built onto their house using his own skills and labor, and frequently handed a hammer and nails to anyone who showed up to see what was going on!  He even designed and built the custom kitchen cabinetry in his workshop.  He was always ready to help whenever someone had a repair job to be done.

David is survived by his children: Elizabeth (Beth) Wilkerson of Owensboro, Gregory C. Betz (Carol) of Evansville, Graden E. Betz (Joan) of Houston, Greta L. Betz of Boonville; and grandchildren Aaron Wilkerson (Laura), Reece Collins (Sarah), Audrey Marshall (JR), Damon Collins, Marissa Artis (Jeremy), Grant Betz (Becky), Justin Betz, Matt Smith (Jesse Rich); and great-grandchildren Courtney Austin-Wilkerson, Wyatt Wilkerson, Cash Wilkerson, Barrett Collins, Maren Collins, Ava Marshall, Trey Marshall, Kyron Artis, Hale Betz, Isabella Betz, Gage Smith, his daughter-in-law Pam Collins, and his faithful feline companion Gabby.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday August 10, 2017 at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Miller & Miller Colonial Chapel, 100 E. Columbia St., Evansville, Indiana.  812-424-9274.  A memorial service to celebrate David’s life will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Fr. Ted Tempel officiating.   Funeral services will be held at 11 am Friday August 11, 2017 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 14340 Old State Rd., Evansville, with extra visitation from 10 am to service time at the church.  Reverend Danny Walker and Reverend Joseph Easley officiating with entombment at Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, with the Retired Veterans Memorial Club of Vanderburgh County having military rites.  Memorial contributions may be made to the church or to the Bell Conservation Club “The 80”.  Sympathy wishes to the family may be shared at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com