Gloria Jean Collins

Gloria Jean “Glo” Collins, age 81, of Dowagiac died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, August 15, 2024. She was born August 12, 1943, in Dowagiac, Michigan to the late Clifford Aloysius and Marvel Irene (Kidman) DeGraff.

Glo attended the parochial school at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church until the 8th grade and graduated from Dowagiac High School. She went on to marry the love of her life, John Grant “Lonnie” Collins on April 27, 1963, at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, where she was a lifelong member and devout Catholic.

Glo was a beautiful and classy lady, always meticulous with her appearance. She loved to wear stylish clothes, have her hair done and nails painted. She worked as a pharmacy technician and supported her family as a homemaker for many years. She was the true backbone to her family—her love so genuine. She spent much of her time with close and extended family and was always there to care for anyone that needed help. From her large home cooked meals to her immaculately clean house, she created the warmth and comfort of a true home. You never walked in or out without a very special hug. Holidays were an especially cherished time for her children and grandchildren, who affectionately referred to her as Mumsy.

Glo always kept herself busy and found solace in simple things. She enjoyed nature and relishing in the peace of the wind and rain, often sharing these special moments of serenity with her family. She loved hummingbirds and had several feeders close by to watch them. She loved to read, take trips to the casino, and watch her favorite television shows including “I Love Lucy,” murder shows and Notre Dame Football. She cherished vacations spent with family. She loved visiting Houghton Lake, trips with her sisters to Las Vegas, and trips to Cedar Point, even if she did not ride roller coasters. What mattered most was that she was with the ones she loved.

Glo was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Grant Collins; and siblings, Joyce Pond, Lonny DeGraff, and Linda Gaideski.

She is survived by her children: Kelly (Norman) McCoy of Mancelona; Kevin (Lori) Collins of Dowagiac; Chris (Toni) Collins of Dowagiac; Shannon (Brent) Hatch of Dowagiac; and Jill (David) Carpenter of Kalamazoo; fourteen grandchildren: Joshua (Melanie) McCoy, Sara McCoy, Kelsey (Mark) Alexander, Matthew Collins, Jeremy Collins, Casey (Zach Nawrot) Collins, Megan Collins, Miranda (Mark Baird) Collins, Zachary Hatch, Grant (Morgan) Hatch, Rachel Hatch, Landon Carpenter, Adrienne Carpenter, and Nolan Carpenter; nine great-grandchildren: Collin, Clayton, Aubree, Bentley, Holden, Brian, Adrian, Cameron, and Roman; brother, Larry (Susan) DeGraff; sister, Judy Torbet; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved canine companion, Lucy. 

Memorial Mass will be Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 1:00pm at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 210 N Front St, Dowagiac, Michigan 49047 with Father Arul Lazar, Celebrant. Friends may visit with family from 12:00pm until the time of the service. A time for fellowship and light refreshments will follow. Private interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her late husband.

Donations in Glo’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choosing.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.