Beverly Collins

Beverly Anne Collins, 84, of Bellefontaine passed away Thursday morning, July 16, 2015. She was born in Canton, Ohio on August 10, 1930, the only child of Cleadus M. and Helen (Singer) Barnhart.

A 1948 graduate of Lincoln High School, Bev then attended and graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing and Health with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She worked in Public Health in Cincinnati prior to marrying James W. Collins on August 1, 1954 in Cincinnati. Once married, they moved to Bellefontaine where she worked as a school nurse from 1954-1959, and from 1960-1986 she worked at Mary Rutan Hospital – mostly on the maternity floor. Bev also worked at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton and had assisted the local health department with clinics on the early administration of the Polio vaccine.

Bev was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Bellefontaine where she was active as a Church Elder, member of the Rebekah Ruth Circle and was involved with the Presbyterian Women in Miami Presbyterian where she was an Enabler for the Northeast area. Bev was also a member of the Bridge Club and Daughters of the American Revolution. With her husband, Bev was active in the Jaycees and Jaycettes and became founding members of the local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness. They later became active supporters of those with Essential Tremors and Fibromyalgia, as well as supporting Relay for Life for cancer victims. Bev was also the recipient of the Harold Fishbain Award in 2003, this award recognized Bev as a citizen who has through dedication, compassion and commitment to excellence, improved the lives of persons recovering from mental illness and/or alcohol or other drug problems.

Bev is survived by her husband, James W. Collins; daughters: Susan Kay (David Boyd) Manning of Bellefontaine and Beth Anne Collins of Knoxville, Tennessee; grandson David James Manning and a sister-in-law Patricia Meldon of Fairborn. Bev was preceded in death by an infant son Phillip Collins and daughter Kathi Elaine Collins who passed away in 2003.

Pastor Rob Fulton will officiate a memorial service on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 11am at the First United Presbyterian Church, Bellefontaine.

Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Bellefontaine assisted the family with arrangements.