Elmer Arthur Collins

LOGAN, UTAH: Elmer Arthur (Art) Collins beloved
husband, father, brother, and grandpa passed away
December
30, 2006 at the age of 87.
Art was a longtime resident of Logan, Utah and grew up
in Preston, Idaho. He was born June
24, 1919 in Rupert, Idaho to A1enda Amy (Swensen) and
Frank Elmer Collins. After attending school
in Preston he attended LDS Business School in Salt
Lake City. Art was called on an LDS mission to
Denmark in 1939. Due to Hitler's aggression he was
evacuated back to the States after only 3 months. He
finished his mission in the Northern States Mission
serving in Minnesota and Canada.
Upon his return he graduated from machinist school in
Pocatello, Idaho, worked for Boeing
Aircraft in Seattle, and in 1942 he enlisted with the
Marines. He was a sharpshooter and served in the
South Pacific fighting on Guadal Canal, going with the
second wave. He also fought in the three day
offensive for Guam. Of his company of 120 Marines on
Guam, Art was one of only 11 men left
standing. He contacted malaria and was sent state side
to a military hospital. Art was proud to be a
Marine.
Art married the love of his life Hazel Kitchen on Jan
20, 1945 in Orem, Utah. They were
sealed in 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.
He was an upholsterer and in 1949 they moved to Cache
Valley. In 1958 with his good friend
and partner Roy Poppleton, they started their own
upholstery business "A & R Upholstery" until Art
retired in 1979. He taught upholstery for Cache County
Adult Education for 20 years. In 1960 three
little boys, joined their family of four young girls.
Kenny (3), Mark (2), and Jeff (1) Simms lived with
them for three years and then returned again to the
east coast.
Art was an avid member of the LDS Church. He served as
one of the as Presidents of the
Seventies in Mount Logan Stake, gospel doctrine
teacher, and faithful home teacher. Art and Hazel
served in the Hartford Counecticut Mission from
1979-81 spending all 18 months in Catskill, NY
where Art served as Branch President.
Art made beautiful things out of wood. He was
especially fond of making handcrafted
wooden trains that won first place at the county and
state fair.
Art had two loves in his life, family and food. He
loved black licorice, pink mints, and popcorn balls
with extra vinegar.
He was preceded in death by one brother and three
sisters. He is survived by his wife Hazel of Logan,
sister Laura (Cleave) Merrill of Homeland CA, four
daughters Tanya (J.D.) Evans of Annandale, VA; Sandra
(James) Stoddard of Gallup, NM; Marsha (Robert) Kraus
of River Heights, UT; Laura (Buff) Gardner of North
Logan, UT; and 19 grandchildren and 24
great-grandchildren.
There will be a viewing on Friday January 5, 2007 from
6-8 pm at Allen-Hall Mortuary.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday at the LDS
Thirteenth Ward Church at 11:00 am with a viewing from
9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be at the Preston
Cemetery with Military Honors. Condolences may be
sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net