Merl V. Collins, 90, of Herman Road died early today at his home.

Born April 26, 1915, in Herman, he was a son of Vincent E. and Cecelia Gallagher Collins.

He was a retired automobile mechanic and owned and operated Collins Garage in Herman from 1960 until his retirement in 1987. He previously worked at Hock Motors at Wayne and Main streets for 18 years, and then worked at Bob Turner Motors until 1960 when he started his own business.

Mr. Collins was a World War II Army veteran and belonged to the VFW Post 249.

He was a member of St Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Herman. He was the oldest life member of the R.C. Men's Club in Herman. He was also a life member of the Herman Volunteer Fire Department.

He was an avid deer hunter having taken 20 deer during his lifetime.

Surviving are his wife, Violetta E. Michel Collins, whom he married Nov. 12, 1942; three sons, Fred F. Collins and his wife, Carol Collins, of Chicora, Ted J. Collins and his wife, Janet Collins, and Roger R. Collins and his wife, Juanita Collins, all of Butler; and a brother, John Collins of Butler. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Earl Collins, who died in 1966; a daughter, Lucille Korbe; and six brothers, Leo, Tom, Ralph, Alfred, Clair and Joseph Collins.

<B>COLLINS</B> — Friends of Merl V. Collins, who died Monday, April 10, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Herman, with the Rev. John McCloskey, O.F.M. Cap., officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Herman.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.