The Rochester Sentinel 1996 - Fulton County Public Library

Monday, February 26, 1996
Walter N. Collins
March 15, 1922 - Feb. 25, 1996
Walter N. “Sparky” COLLINS, 73, Nyona Lake, died at 6:10 a.m. Sunday at his
daughter’s Logansport residence.
He was born in Logansport to Theodore W. and Pearl E. KIESLING COLLINS. On
April 14, 1946, in Logansport, he married Barbara Jean CROCKETT, who died on Feb. 23, 1988.
He was a 1946 graduate of Logansport High School and served in the U.S. Army from during
World War II. He joined the Indiana National Guard i946 and retired in 1966 as a master
sergeant. He retired from Rockwell International in 1986, after working 36 years as a coiler.
He grew up in Logansport and was a former member of the Wheatland Aveue United
Methodist Church. He moved to Nyona Lake in 1974 and joined the Macy United Methodist
Church. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Retired & Enlisted
Association. He was a member of the American Legion Post 60, Macy Masonic Lodge, Macy
Chapter 124 Order of the Eastern Star, Fort Wayne Valley of Scottish Rite and Fort Wayne Shrine
Club.
Mr. Collins joined the Wheatland Avenue Church Cub Scout Pack No 3204 in 1931. He
spent the next 65 years as an active member and leader in the Boy Scouts of America. His
accomplishments included: 1939 Eagle Award, organizing Cub Scout Pack 2203, Boy Scout
Troop No. 12, served as Scout Master of Troop No. 492, Post Explorer Advisor Post 2233, and
Charter Unit Representative to Cub Scout Pack No 3215. He received numerous awards for
meritous service including: the District Award of Merit, Quartermaster Sea Scout, Sea Scout Long
Cruise Award; Gold Braid, Skippers Key Award, Scoutmaster’s Key Award, Arrowhead Award,
Commissioner’s Key Award, Distinguished Commissioner’s Award, Woodbadge Award, Cub
Scouters Award and the Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow. In
1995, he became the first living recipient of the James E. West Fellowship Award.
He had served in several capacities in scout camps throughout the area, including Camp
Buffalo, Camp Wildwood, Council Camp and Cub Scout Day Camp. In 1964 he received an
award from the American Red Cross for 23 years of service as water safety insructor. He served
as chairman of the Water Safety and Disaster Committees as well as the American Red Cross
Board of Directors for the Department of Natural Resources.
Surviving are three daughters, Catherine COLLINS and Sharon L. CROUSSORE, both
of Logansport; and Dr. Lucinda K. WRIGHT, Kokomo; seven grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Fisher Funeral Chapel, Logansport. Burial with
military honors will be in the Fulton Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the
funeral chapel. Memorials may be made to the Sagamore Council of the Boy Scouts of America,
P.O. Box 865, Kokomo, IN 46903.