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Funeral services for Mitchell "Mitch" Eugene Collins, 18, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the First Christian Church of Gillette with William Shaffner officiating.
Interment will follow the services at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.
Collins was born April 29, 1960, in Cheyenne where he resided until moving to Gillette with his parents and two brothers in December 1964.
He attended school in Gillette, graduating with the high school class of 1978. Collins enjoyed skate-boarding, water skiing and snow skiing, but his favorite hobbies were sky diving and flying.
He received his private pilot's license on his 17th birthday, a multi-engine rating two months later, and an instrument rating before his 18th birthday.
Collins was active in choir in high school, placing well in several competitions. He was a member of the International Order of DeMoley, having served his local chapter as scribe, junior councilor, senior counsilor and master councilor. He received the past master's councilor's meritous service award as well as other DeMoley honors.
He was the state deacon during the 1977-78 term.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Collins of Gillette, two brothers, David and Mark, paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Collins of Vinita, Okla., and maternal grandmother Mrs. Eunice Callis of Jay, Okla.
A memorial has been establishes for the Shriners Crippled Children. Donations may be left at the Noecker Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Collins was killed when the single-engine airplane he was flying crashed east of Midwest.
-The News-Record August 17, 1978
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Joan Corlew (Tressler)
What can you say about Mitch. He would have gone on to greatness as a pilot if god would not have taken him so young! He was a great friend that always stuck up for me and was there for me when I was down.I still think about the time we went skiing in Beth Austins car and it broke down on the way home & we had to ride with Dave, Mark & Mitch Collins & Marty Shober in the back of the pick up all the way from Sheridan. It was soo cold, but we had a blast!
Miss ya Mitch!!
Vanda Toohey (Cathey)
Mitch and I used to square dance together (in the olden days). Our parent were in a square dancing club and us kids would have our own little hoe down in the corner of Collins Communication's Warehouse. He also taught me how to ice skate and I took him horseback riding a couple times. Mitch was always the first to be there if you needed something. My heart remains heavy. Miss you Mitch. Love, VandaDiana Parnell (Statzula)
I remember riding motorcycles with Mitch, Teresa and Ray. I wasn't as good riding mine (usually turned it over), so ended up on the back of Teresa's or with Mitch! It was so much fun! Miss you Mitch! DianaMark Winland
Mitch was a great guy and a great friend. We were getting ready to head to Canada on a post graduation trip when that wind shear knocked him out of the sky.Way too early.
I remember cruising around in that godawful cream yellow Caprice and later the Jeep Wrangler (10 below with that vinyl top)... always looking for fun. And flying over the top of Devils Tower. From those Caprice days (must have been sophomore time), I still can't hear "American Woman" by Guess Who without thinking of Mitch and seeing him belting out that song into the wind.
Duane Ekwall
Mitch was always in it for a good time. I remember his laugh and his loud voice when he entered the room. When I think of him, I actually can't think of a time that I didn't see him with a smile on his face and laughter in his heart. Like everyone else who knew him, it was a great shock to hear of his tragic death at such a young age. He made me laugh hard many times. Miss you Mitch.