Matthew Collins, 48, of Fairbanks, Alaska, formerly of McArthur, Ohio, passed away August 6, 2013 of lung cancer. He was born February 22, 1965 in Nelsonville, Ohio to the late Jack Collins and Anna Dishong Collins.
Matthew was a 1984 graduate of Vinton County Consolidated High School and served for 12 years in the U.S. Army, having served in Desert Storm. He was the maintenance supervisor at the Fairbanks Community Food Bank.
He is survived by three children: Amber (Damion) Washington and Trisha Flores of Fairbanks and Joshua Collins of Londonderry, Ohio; and three grandchildren: Jeremiah and D’Asia Washington and Preston Collins. Matthew is also survived by three brothers: Tom (Brenda) Collins of Webster Springs, West Virginia, Bill and Joe Collins of McArthur, Ohio; three sisters: Carolyn (Arthur) Coleman of McArthur, Ohio, Beth (Bill Nalley) Gilliland of Jewitt, Ohio and Jackie (Tim) Puckett of Ray; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Matt was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, George and Mildred Dishong and paternal grandparents, Calvin and Mabel Collins.
Matthew’s wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held August 17, 2013 at the JP Jones Community Development Center in Fairbanks with the Rev. Phillips officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to the Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.