LOGAN, UTAH: Elmer Arthur (Art) Collins beloved husband, father, brother, and grandpa passed away December 30, 2006 at the age of 87.

Art was a longtime resident of Logan, Utah and grew up in Preston, Idaho. He was born June 24, 1919 in Rupert, Idaho to Alenda Amy (Swensen) and Frank Elmer Collins. After attending school in Preston he attended LDS Business School in Salt Lake City. Art was called on an LDS mission to Denmark in 1939. Due to Hitler's aggression he was evacuated back to the States after only 3 months. He finished his mission in the Northern States Mission serving in Minnesota and Canada.

Upon his return he graduated from machinist school in Pocatello, Idaho, worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, and in 1942 he enlisted with the Marines. He was a sharpshooter and served in the South Pacific fighting on Guadal Canal, going with the second wave. He also fought in the three day offensive for Guam. Of his company of 120 Marines on Guam, Art was one of only 11 men left standing. He contacted malaria and was sent state side to a military hospital. Art was proud to be a Marine.

Art married the love of his life Hazel Kitchen on Jan 20, 1945 in Orem, Utah. They were sealed in 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.

He was an upholsterer and in 1949 they moved to Cache Valley. In 1958 with his good friend and partner Roy Poppleton, they started their own upholstery business "A & R Upholstery" until Art retired in 1979. He taught upholstery for Cache County Adult Education for 20 years. In 1960 three little boys, joined their family of four young girls. Kenny (3), Mark (2), and Jeff (1) Simms lived with them for three years and then returned again to the east coast.

Art was an avid member of the LDS Church. He served as one of the as Presidents of the Seventies in Mount Logan Stake, gospel doctrine teacher, and faithful home teacher. Art and Hazel served in the Hartford Counecticut Mission from 1979-81 spending all 18 months in Catskill, NY where Art served as Branch President.

Art made beautiful things out of wood. He was especially fond of making handcrafted wooden trains that won first place at the county and state fair.

Art had two loves in his life, family and food. He loved black licorice, pink mints, and popcorn balls with extra vinegar.

He was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Hazel of Logan, sister Laura (Cleave) Merrill of Homeland CA, four daughters Tanya (J.D.) Evans of Annandale, VA; Sandra (James) Stoddard of Gallup, NM; Marsha (Robert) Kraus of River Heights, UT; Laura (Buff) Gardner of North Logan, UT; and 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

There will be a viewing on Friday January 5, 2007 from 6-8 pm at Allen-Hall Mortuary.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday at the LDS Thirteenth Ward Church at 11:00 am with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 am. Internment will be at the Preston Cemetery with Military Honors. Condolences may be sent to the family at Allen Mortuaries.