Michael Lon Collins was born on September 6, 1952, to Michael and Mary Lou Collins in Sioux Falls, SD. He passed away in the comfort of his home with his wife at his side.

Mike attended Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls and continued on to the University of South Dakota. He chose to pursue a career as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in Sioux Falls, SD. After thirteen years of service in Belle Fourche, SD, he was forced to retire due to illness. Before fulfilling his lifelong dream of moving to the Black Hills, he spent several years in Jacksonville FL. His time in Florida was spent working as an AT&T customer representative. Golfing, scuba diving, and exploring the ocean consumed most of his time. Mike had many a hobby - reading, billiards, cards, dominoes, and would offer anyone a challenge to a round of Jeopardy. Mike spent countless hours on the golf course. This hobby began when Mike was a young boy, which was funded by his paper boy delivery route in Sioux Falls. He took the game to heart and taught many the importance of golf etiquette. He was a member at the Boulder Canyon Country Club for many years but also enjoyed playing new and different courses in his travels. Most importantly, he valued his time with family and friends. Mike is now on his fairway to heaven.

Mike married LaVerne Turbiville in Whitewood on September 14, 1996. They resided in Whitewood together for fifteen years.

Mike is survived by his best friend and wife, LaVerne Collins and companions, Big Jon and Austin, all of Whitewood; his sons, Jason and Eric Collins, both of Sioux Falls, and Jeremy Aspen, Billings, MT; his two daughters, Alanna (SSG Joshua) Didier, WA, and Ashley (KeyStone) Kopp, Sturgis; eight special grandchildren, Hunter, Avila, Amara, Ashlyn, Andrew, Oriana, Elissa, and Jocelynn; his parents, Michael and Mary Lou Collins, Sioux Falls; his siblings, Michele (Bill) Loeschke, Vineland, NJ, Mark Collins, Sioux Falls, Mari (Dan) Pickering, Watertown, and Mia (Paul) Morris, Sioux Falls; mother and father in law, Dick and Rose Ann Turbiville, Spearfish; and many special aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous close friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his nephew, Reed Loeschke, and his grandparents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Skip Smith officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date.

A memorial has been established.