Dale Eugene Collins

Dale Eugene Collins, 84, of Port Clinton, Ohio died peacefully under Lakeland palliative care in Lakeland Regional Hospital, Florida on Thursday, March 1, 2018. He was born on January 5, 1934 in Port Clinton, Ohio, to the late Thomas and Etta (Welsh) Collins. Dale married Jean (Annon) Collins on February 12, 1954 and she survives. Dale and Jean recently celebrated their 64th anniversary together while in Lakeland Florida. Dale was a veteran of the United States Army, proudly serving our country during the Korean conflict. As a young man and after his paper delivery route, Dale first entered into the workforce for Everetts Pontiac and Jacks Smith mobile as an apprentice mechanic. In 1963 he would establish Dales Sunoco in Port Clinton, Ohio where he became a well known mechanic and successful business owner. After selling his first business, Dale would venture on to establish two more businesses over the course of his life, Genoa RV sales in Genoa, Ohio and Collins Motor Sales of Port Clinton, where his only son, the late Dale Jr. would join him in his last business venture. Dale always enjoyed the automobile trade whether it was the mechanics or the sales end of the trade. He would love spending time at the auto auctions and many friends rode along with him as he would search out the right buy. When Dale wasnt working up a good deal or taking chances on new business ventures, he loved to travel and spend time in the casinos which once paid for a trip to Alaska for him and his wife. Dale was a licensed pilot and once owned his own plane which he loved to fly on short trips. Dale was a member of the AOPA (aircraft owners and pilots association), Oak Harbor American Legion Post 114, Ohio Farm Bureau, and LaPointe United Methodist Church, Oak Harbor, Ohio. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Jean; daughter, Kimberly (Allen) Minton, Marblehead; daughter-in-law, Elisa (Torres) Collins, Port Clinton; grandchildren, Allen Minton, Jr., Castalia, Adam (Adriene) Minton, Sandusky, Cassandra Minton, Marblehead, Sara (Andy) Shoemaker, McComb, Kayla (fiance Derek) Collins, Columbus; step-grandchildren, James Minton, Teresa (Brett) Smith, and Billy Minton; great-grandchildren, Jordyn Smith and Ella Minton; and many other step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Richard "Zeike" Collins, Calvin "Bruce" Collins, and his son, Dale T. Collins. Visitation will be held at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 1124 Fulton Street, Port Clinton, Ohio on Friday, March 9, 2018 from 9 am until Funeral Services at 11 am with Pastor Chuck Kaylor officiating. Burial will follow at LaCarpe Cemetery in Lacarne, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, LaPointe United Methodist Church or Donors Choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Port Clinton Chapel 1124 Fulton Street Port Clinton, OH US 43452