Kenneth Marvin 'Ken' Collins, Hays
June 23, 1951 - October 22, 2023
Kenneth Marvin “Ken” Collins, 72, Hays, died Sunday, October 22, 2023 at HaysMed.
He was born June 23, 1951 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the son of Franklin L. and Virginia Sue (Pleasant) Collins.
In 1970 he graduated from Bartlett Yancey High School in Yanceyville, North Carolina and attended Rockingham Community College studying business law.
From 1971-1974, Ken served in the U.S. Army as a Specialist with the 207th MP Company serving at Fort Riley, Kansas.
On May 18, 1973, he was united in marriage to Janice Robben in Hays and celebrated their 50th anniversary this past May.
Ken worked in law enforcement for 28 years with the Hays Police Department and nine years with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Other memberships include Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays American Legion #173, Third Degree Knights of Columbus St. Mary’s Council #6984, Fourth Degree Bishop Cunningham Assembly, serving as a Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, Former District Deputy, State Council Program Chairman, Financial Secretary, and as a volunteer with Kansas Special Olympics. He was a Boy Scout Unit Commissioner, a little league baseball coach, an avid Royals and Chiefs fan, NASCAR enthusiast, and loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Survivors include his wife Janice of the home, three sons, Kirk Collins of Johnston, IA, Kale Collins and wife Jessica of Wichita, and Kylan Collins and wife Angela of Park City, a sister, Gwen Ford and husband Jerry of Lenoir, NC, a half-sister, Fleeta Griffith of La Grange, NC, two step-brothers, Fr. Francis Andrew Perry III and Thomas Perry, both of La Grange, NC, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wayne Robben and Lester Robben and wife Donetta, both of Hays, Jerry Robben and wife Linda, Joyce Bieker and husband Dale, and Lee Robben and wife Lisa, all of Arizona, and Lois Werth and husband Harold, Jr. of Quinter, 12 grandchildren, Kory, Grace, and Allie Collins, Kailee Robinson, Brett, Ella, Mason, Kooper, Abby, Hannah, Layton, and Kason Collins, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Walter Griffith, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Alexia Robben.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Don Zimmerman and Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9:00 until 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 5:30 p.m., the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m, and a vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Divine Mercy Radio or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for the Unify, Beautify, Glorify Campaign.
Condolences and memories of Ken may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com.