Virginia Palmer Collins (Gini), 100, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023. At the time of her death, Gini was living in Springfield, Ohio, but the majority of her life was lived in Calhoun County, Michigan (Marshall/Battle Creek area). She was born May 8, 1923 to the union of James S. Palmer, Sr. and Lillian E. (Anderson) Palmer.
Gini was the matriarch of the family she loved and held dear. She was a life-long learner, a world traveler, a pilot, a quilter, and so many things. Gini was kind and compassionate. In the early 1970’s a rude neighbor wrote a letter to the editor of the local paper about “Mrs. Collins and her hippies,” because she would often check on the kids at the commune house next door to make sure they were fed and doing ok.
In the early 1990’s Gini drove AIDS patients from Battle Creek to their doctor’s appointments in Kalamazoo. And, for many years, she volunteered countless hours at Burnham Brook Senior Center, the Battle Creek Charitable Union, and later at Bibles for Missions.
In her later years, Gini wanted to donate to every organization that asked. She always had a strong drive to help and possessed deep empathy. One of her favorite places to donate was The Nature Conservancy.
She was an entertainer, too. Gini was a member of a local comedy troupe where she enjoyed writing and performing skits. She and the accordion band that was started by her sister, Roberta, entertained audiences around the Battle Creek area.
At 100, Gini outlived her husband, siblings, and friends. She was a woman of faith and she surely received quite a heavenly welcome.
Gini leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Jill Melfi, and Marti Bloes (Terry); grandchildren: Chad Collins (Theresa), Kelley Berg (Jeff), Jamie Shellenberger (Todd), Jodi Melfi (Dean Lowry), and Kaytee Faris (Ken); great-grandchildren: Erika Shellenberger, Spencer Kruse-Melfi, Charlie Collins, Jordan Berg, Drew Shellenberger, Helena Lowry, and Felix Faris.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Russell L. Collins; son, William J. (Bill) Collins; parents, James S. Palmer, Sr. and Lillian E. (Anderson) Palmer; sister, Roberta M. Palmer; brother, James S. Palmer, Jr.; and a great-granddaughter, Virginia E. Faris (Ginny).
Private graveside services will be held in Marshall, Michigan later this summer.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of KINLEY Funeral Home.
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