Elmer F. Collins, 93, Sturgis, died Monday, September 08, 2008, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2008, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial will follow at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

Elmer was born October 21, 1914, near Faith, SD, to William and Ida (Myles) Collins. He grew up on the family ranch and attended rural country school. He worked for area ranchers including delivery of coal by horsedrawn team and wagon in the Red Owl country.

Elmer married Mildred Babcock at Philip, SD, on November 19, 1936.

Elmer worked in the construction of Interstate 90. He also built missile silos in Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Montana. In later years, he worked for his son, Neil Collins, excavating for underground telephone cable. Elmer retired in 1994. They retired to Whitewood. After his wife's death, he moved to his son's ranch in 2004 and then to the long term care center in 2006.

Survivors include his son, Neil (Sharon) Collins, Newell; one sister, Vera (Harold) Dutton, Faith; 4 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife; 5 brothers, Leo, Lloyd, Tom, Ralph, and John; and one sister, Alice Johnson.

A memorial has been established to Youth Rodeo.