Paul Collins

Paul F. Collins, Jr., 95, of Scotland, PA, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at his home. Born September 23, 1928 in Altoona, PA, he was a son of the late Paul F. Collins, Sr., and Thelma Crone Collins McMullen.

Paul was a 1946 graduate of Orbisonia High School. Following his graduation, Paul worked for the East Broad Top Railroad as a fireman on a locomotive and also worked in the machine shop and molding room. Paul also worked at the Corning Fiberglass Co. in Huntingdon, PA. In 1947 Paul entered the US Army Air Force and was trained to be a Crew Chief on air crafts. He served three years in the Air Force. He was later employed in Quality Control in the Electronic Division at Letterkenny Army Depot in the Missile and Radar Shop until his retirement in 1988. Paul was a member of First United Methodist Church in Chambersburg where he was a member of the Pastor’s Bible Study and sang in the church choir. He enjoyed reading the Bible and Biblical history. He also enjoyed Civil War history and visiting Civil War sites. Paul was an avid lover of hymns and sacred music. He also loved the outdoors, hunting deer and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Erma Harper Collins, whom he married on August 7, 1971; two children, Rhonda Collins of Cockeysville, MD, and Gary Collins (Carol) of Reston, VA; one sister, Helen Jean Yednock of Harrisburg, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Aside from his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Marietta H. Collins; three siblings, Alma Grace Locke, JoAnn Bosco, and Dr. William Collins; step-father, Michael McMullen; and a half-sister, Dorothy Anderson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 3, 2024 in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Rev. Steven Livermore will officiate. Interment will follow the service at 1:00 PM in Mt. Union Cemetery, Mt. Union, PA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday evening at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 225 S. 2nd St., Chambersburg, PA 17201 or to SpiriTrust Lutheran Hospice at spiritrustlutheran.org.