Emmit, age 90, left this earth peacefully on August 25, 2022, to join his heavenly family. Emmit was born on May 27, 1932 in Flint, Michigan to Emmit Collins, Sr. and Adelaide (Forsberg) Collins, and was the eldest of seven children. He lived a very full and happy life with his one and only true love, Eileen, and his four children, all of whom he cherished. He was also surrounded by two very large extended families and many, many wonderful lifetime friends.
Emmit lived a very long and storied life, with early years spent on his family’s farms in Argentine, Linden and Gaines, where they eventually settled. He was an adventurous young man with a quick mind and endless energy. Beginning at an early age, and throughout his school years, he worked the farms and part-time jobs after school. At 18 he joined the Michigan National Guard and worked for GM. After graduation, he worked 2 years as timekeeper for the Grand Trunk Western railroad. In the fall of 1952, he was drafted into the Korean War, and proudly served 18 months in the 25th Infantry Division, assigned to the Troop Information and Education Headquarters, where his duties included compiling top secret information. He was promoted 4 times, honorably discharged in 1954, then served 3 more years in the Active reserves. Upon his return, he began working as a field rep for GMAC and attended night school at U of M for Mechanical Engineering. Through the Army Reserve, Emmit met Kenneth Fegan, who introduced him to his sister, Eileen, who was employed by Fisher Body. They fell madly in love and married on February 23, 1957, sharing 65 years of marriage. GMAC took them to Tawas City, where they spent 5 years and had 3 of their 4 children. Emmit later left GMAC and started Huron Loan Company. He also spent 2 1/2 years as a Justice of the Peace. Emmit moved Huron Loan to Pinconning, settling there in 1962. Two years later, their 4th child was born. Huron Loan was bought out and Emmit was offered an opportunity to buy Federal Auto Parts, eventually opening 2 more stores and 2 service centers, a Radio Shack and an ice cream shop. He also invented and patented a snowmobile lift and opened a manufacturing facility and was involved in several other business ventures through the years. Emmit was a true entrepreneur at heart!!
Nothing in this world was more important to Emmit than his family. He and Eileen spent winters in FL and summers at their family compound of lake homes on Long Lake. It was truly his “Happy Place” and he was never more content than when all of his children and grandchildren were there. Emmit also loved golfing, euchre, reading, watching sports and was active in many organizations over his lifetime.
Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Eileen(Fegan); children, Michael(Carol)Collins, Michelle Kuri(Joe Criscuolo), Brian(Wendy)Collins, Brenda(Greg)Lemanski; grandchildren, Ashley(Monte)Ketchum, Derek(Brittany)Kuri, Jeffrey Collins, Bradley Collins, Garrett Lemanski(fiancé Ellen), Brandon Collins, Quinton Lemanski, Katie Collins, Grant Lemanski; great-grandchildren, Tucker Ketchum, Rylee Ketchum, Leila Kuri; siblings, Betty(Wayne)Teggardine, Ray(Vikki)Collins, Gary(Cathy)Collins, Jerry(Ruth)Collins, John(Debra)Collins; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Donnalee Fegan, Colleen Wolfe, Bernard and Kathleen Fegan, Charles and Karen Mielock, Rodney and Ila Fegan, Kenneth and Cathy Berthiaume, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, sister Victoria Peisert, brother-in law Jerry Peisert, parents-in-law Bernard and Stella Fegan, brother-in-law and sister-in-law William and Francine Fegan, brothers-in law Kenneth Fegan and Ralph Wolfe, niece-in-law Tara Robinson, and son-in-law John Kuri.
Visitation will be at Buresh Funeral Home in Hale, MI on Thursday, September 1, 2022, from 4-8 pm, and 11-12 am, Friday, September 2, with service to follow.
Extra special thanks go out to the Hale area medical first responders for their wonderful help and loving care of Emmit!
