Melvin “Mel” Collins
December 6, 1949
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May 20, 2019
Melvin “Mel” Collins, age 69, died Monday, May 20, 2019, at his home in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born on December 6, 1949, in Perry County, Kentucky. He was the loving son of the late Alfred and Cleda Mae Collins.
When Melvin was three his family moved to Indiana and settled in the Deputy, Indiana, area where he attended school. He graduated Deputy High School in 1967. He was Valedictorian and President of his graduating class.
Melvin attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and later in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1974. He practiced dentistry for thirty-one years in Indianapolis. He especially enjoyed working with young children as patients.
Melvin will be missed by his brother, Lonnie Collins, and his wife Judy, of Madison, Indiana; his brother, Ronnie Collins, and his wife, Diann, also of Madison, Indiana; his sister, Wanda Dailey, and her husband, Danney of Crothersville, Indiana. Also surviving are Melvin’s nieces and nephew, Kimberly Green, and her husband Eric; Kara Dailey; and Travis Collins and his wife Jennifer, along with great nieces and nephews, Beth, Madison, Glory, and Caleb Collins and Brayden and Ava Green. Mel will also be dearly missed by his extensive Indianapolis ” family of friends”.
After retiring from dentistry, Melvin scored school achievement tests for companies in Indianapolis which relied on his knowledge of science and mathematics and his writing skills. With this work he met another wonderful group of people he so enjoyed.
Melvin was an avid reader. He read everything from the Indianapolis Star to historical fiction and everything in between. He loved gardening and cooking and always looked forward to preparing Thanksgiving dinner with his sister Wanda for the family. He enjoyed movies, music, theater, sports and travel. He followed IU basketball and football as well as the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial tributes be made to the Deputy Volunteer Fire Company for its rebuilding fund in care of Collins Funeral Home or a charity of the donor’s choice.
From: Laura Wright
Wanda, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. I remember him from way back being a good kiddo at church. Laura W.
From: John Ball
Collins Family: So sorry for your loss. May God's peace and comfort be with you all.
From: Paula Feltner Noble
Many memories from Mr. Nays Health Class in the Deputy Gym. Lots of laughs. Love and Prayers.
From: Rhonda Hammersley Martin
So sorry for your loss..The Collins family was a big part of our Sipe family as well..May God Comfort each of you.
From: Bill Erwin
Lonnie, Wanda, and Ronnie I wish you wonderful memories of Mel during this difficult time. As you know, Mel was a positive and significant influence on my life. For that and his friendship, I have always been grateful. Bill Erwin
From: Bill Erwin
Lonnie, Wanda, and Ronnie I wish you wonderful memories of Mel during this difficult time. As you know, Mel was a positive and significant influence on my life. For that and his friendship, I have always been grateful. Bill Erwin
From: Jowanna Peterson
To Mel: A compassionate friend and my carpool buddy. Your smile, laughter, and great conversation will certainly be missed! Rest in peace my friend!
From: larry m fitzgerald
Mel was a wonderful friend and my dentist for many years. We experienced many fun and happy times together. Know he is moving on to his next journey. Peace and comfort to your family.
From: Mary Jane Salyers
It is sad to know Melvin is no longer with us. My condolences to Lonnie and the rest of the Collins family. I treasure memories of Melvin and I know your memories are treasured too.
From: Bonnie and Jim Shute
We were so sorry to hear of Mel's passing. He was our family dentist for many years, and we considered him a valued friend.
From: Tim and Ardy Hollingsworth
Lonnie, we were so sorry to hear of Mel's death. He was our family dentist for over 20 years. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and you whole family!
From: Curt Feltner
Lonnie, Wanda and Ronnie and all the extended Collins Family, my deepest condolences. Mel was that one person everyone truly loved. I was fortunante to have known him when living in Indianapolis and was always so proud to tell my friends that this remarkably warm, intelligent, gifted person was related to me. In the early 80's, when we first reconnected, he cooked dinner for me at his home on Broadway and when we sat down to the table, I remarked how how much I loved his antique dining table. He said: "Don't you recognize it; it's the Feltner table you grew up around..." That family connection brought us together. His shy, endearing laugh will be missed.
From: Alice Hardin, Marvin Hardin
We miss you at DRC, Mel. We miss the everyday conversations, the tomato plants you brought to us at work because you knew our own always did so badly! We miss the talks about movies to see, restaurants...all the pleasant, quiet times we all had at the lunch table. Wish you were here.
From: Elaine Holler
Have you read...? Have you seen...? Have you had dinner at...? When Mel would ask me those questions, and I couldn’t answer “yes,” I would read the book, watch the show/see the movie or try the restaurant. Mel never steered me wrong, and I always welcomed his suggestions. I will miss our lunchtime discussions and his sense of humor. I know each time I see a Hershey Miniature I will think of Mel. Mel told me, “I have a wonderful family and great friend;” I send my sympathy to all of you. Elaine Holler
From: Brian
May the words at 1 Corinthians 15:26 be of comfort to the friends and family of Melvin, where it says "the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing."
In Memoriam
