Earl Collins

Funeral Services for Earl J. Collins, 63, of Baker, MT will be at 10:00 a. m. on Monday, July 6, 2009 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with the Rev. Father Thomas Tobin officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Beaver Lodge Cemetery at Ekalaka, MT with Military Rites being provided by the Baker American Legion, Ekalaka American Legion and the Ekalaka VFW Posts. Visitation will be 3:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Sunday, July 5th, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Earl passed away at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker, MT. Our Dad, Grandpa, Son, Brother, Uncle, Friend has lost his long battle against Multiple Sclerosis on Sunday, June 28th, 2009. Earl Jacob Collins was born December 19, 1945, the 5th oldest of Raymond & Agnes (Lilletvedt) Collins in Ekalaka, MT. He grew up in Ekalaka attending elementary school and graduating from Carter County High School in 1965. He took part in all types of activities and sports including football, basketball, and track which he excelled in. Earl served in the US Army from 1966, and was stationed in St. Louis, MO and was honorably discharged in 1972. His tour of duty included service in Vietnam. He was a long time member of the American Legion and served as Commander in Chief. He was also a life time member of the VFW in Ekalaka. On July 2nd 1969, Earl married Patricia Lovec, to this union 3 children were born, Tori Layne, Chastity Ann & Brock Allen. Earl and Pat divorced in 1994, remaining good friends. Earl worked for Glen Moore at M&M Supply before starting his own business, Collins Construction in 1972. He loved his work especially building pole barns & grain bins. In 1981, after a long road trip with his family to Denver, Earl was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Even though he had MS it didn?t slow him down, he kept on working and raising his family. In 1989, when the MS started to get him down a little he had to move the family to Billings. Earl was still in the construction game, ready and willing to do whatever he could to help out a friend. In 1994, Earl and Brock left Billings to go back ?home?, home being Baker, where Brock took over Collins Construction under the supervision of his dad (dad was always the BOSS). Earl resided at the Prairie Manor apartments, he could be found hanging out at the American Legion socializing & playing cards with his friends and drinking his Pepsi. No matter how hard of a day Earl was having he would always have a smile on his face and a joke to tell. Due to his failing health, Earl moved into the Fallon County Nursing home in 2000, until his death. Earl?s greatest love in life was his children and grandchildren. And watching any activities he was able to attend, as he was considered one of the biggest Baker Spartan Fans. Earl is survived by: a son, Brock (Brook) Collins, Baker, MT; two daughters, Tori (Chris) Collins-Spadt, Laurel, MT and Chastity Veis, Billings, MT; his mother, Agnes ?Aggie? Collins, Baker, MT; three brothers, Edgar (Wanda) Collins, Rio Rancho, NM, Jerry (LaRay) Collins, Billings, MT and Larry (Charlotte Collins, Williston, ND; three sisters, Donna (Lee) Lewis, Ekalaka, MT, Sheila (Doug) Pinegar, Arvada, CO and Janice Collins, Mobridge, SD; six grandchildren, Sierra, Lakotta, Dylan, Brennon, Trenton and Camryn and his former wife, Pat of Billings. Earl is preceded in death by his father, Raymond, a brother, Gordon, a nephew, Richard Collins and a great nephew, AJ Carter.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: July 6, 2009
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Monday, Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT