Harvey Wayne Collins, 66, Iola, died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, while doing what he loved, golfing with friends at Cedarbrook Golf Course. Cremation has taken place.
Harvey was born Oct. 27, 1950, in Iola, to Harvey Albert and Lillie Mae (Sheat) Collins. He attended grade school and high school in Iola and graduated in 1968. He graduated from Allen County Community Junior College and was proud to be in the first graduating class at the new location. He later earned a degree in elementary education from Emporia State Teachers College. He student taught in Iola at McKinley Grade School and sold advertising at his parents’ business, Central Publishing Company, during the summers. He decided to stay with the family business and sold advertising along with various other jobs his whole adult life. Outside of work and golfing, Harvey was passionate about coaching kids in the region in basketball, softball, baseball and golf. He loved all those he coached and touched many lives.
He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by siblings Harry (Norma) Collins, Des Moines, Iowa; Dean (Sandy) Collins, Bella Vista, Ark.; Gary (Barb) Collins, Linda (Leo) Bass and Roger (Billie) Collins, all of Iola. Survivors also include his children Amber Collins, of Iola, Benjamin (Leah) Bockover of Derby, Cari Jo Bockover of Olathe and Rachel Bockover of Overland Park. He has six grandchildren, Ava, Camri, Aurora, Delaney, the twins Everett and Lincoln and another granddaughter due in February of 2017. Harvey leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and friends that he loved dearly.
A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the City of Gas Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Harvey can be made to the Allen County Community College Endowment to be used toward an Allen County athletic scholarship.
