Sherman R. Collins

Sherman R. Collins, Jr., 75, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at his home in rural Erie, Kansas, surrounded by his family following a lengthy illness.

He was born on July 28, 1946, at Mercy Hospital in Parsons to Sherman and Elvera "Vera" (Bracht) Collins.  As a young boy, he grew up in Parsons and attended Washington Elementary School, Parsons Junior High School and graduated from Parsons High School in 1964.  He earned an Associate's degree in History from Parsons Junior College in 1967.

From September 1967 to August 1973, Sherman served in the Kansas Army National Guard.  He was honorably discharged at the end of his service.

In his earlier years, he worked in the building trades as a laborer, carpenter, and iron worker.  For one year, he worked as a Rehabilitation Inspector for the Urban Renewal.  In March 1977, Sherman began driving for UPS and continued there until April 1990.  He then began employment with Power Flame until his retirement in 2008.

Sherman was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.  He previously held memberships in the Laborers' Union, Teamsters' Union and the Elks Lodge.

For 38 years, Sherman and his wife, Judi, lived in the same home in Parsons – an 1880's Victorian with five bedrooms.  The home's five bedrooms were often filled to capacity with friends and family members who needed a home.  Sherman's greatest joy came from spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially watching them play sports and teaching them anything he thought would help them in life.  He was known by his children, grandchildren and their friends as "the Sherminator" and was famous for his many Shermanisms.  Throughout the years, he also enjoyed rebuilding cars, remodeling the family home and rebuilding boats, campers or anything else that needed tweaked.  He enjoyed camping, boating, water skiing and he mentored many young people over the years in those activities.

In January 1972, Sherman and Judith "Judi" Burzinski were united in marriage.  She survives of the home.

Others who survive to treasure his memory are:

Daughter Erin Brant and her husband, Bill, of Erie, Kansas, and their daughters, Taygan, Kenzie and Ryleigh Brant and Marene Brant Arthur and her husband, Paul, and their children Austin, Evan and Clara

Son David Collins and his wife, Angie, of Bloomington, Indiana, and their children Tyler, Leah, Grace and Anna

Daughter Kristen Collins and her companion, Thomas Stout, of Pittsburg, as well as Kristen's children, Marissa and Michael

Godchildren – Leanne Sevart Kehres, Ron Sevart, Lisa Sevart Easterling, Ryan Sevart, Amber Collins Pankratz and Kurtis Nance

Brother Bill Collins and his wife, Janet, of Parsons, Kansas

Sisters and brothers-in-law – Steve Burzinski, Bob Burzinski, Marianne Burzinski Brown, Janie Burzinski Sprague, Martha Burzinski Westhoff, Bernard Burzinski, Jerry Burzinski, and Rosie Burzinski Breneman

He was preceded in death by his father, Sherman Collins; mother Vera Collins Whitacre; step-mother, Katherine Collins; parents-in-law, Steve and Margie Burzinski; and sister-in-law, Nancy Burzinski Nance.

The Collins family would like to extend a special thank you to Shannon, Becky and Lori from Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and to Bernard Burzinski for their help and comfort during Sherman's final days.  A special thank you also to Fr. Curtis Robertson for his spiritual guidance during Sherman's journey home.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 18, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic School Gymnasium.  The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends following the rosary.  Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery following cremation.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Patrick Catholic Church Renovation Fund, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or the Proud Animal Lovers Shelter.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.