Donna Lea Collins

Donna Lea Collins (Huck) passed away peacefully after a long illness on December 30, 2025. Donna was born on July 2, 1938 to Herbert and Dorothy Huck in Dayton, Ohio.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Dorothy, and sister in law Jeanne Huck. She is survived by her 5 children James (Laura) Collins, Teresa Schamel (Jeff Davidson), Cherie (Clint) Baillie, Kathleen (Ken) Stammen, and Cynthia Collins Sulfridge. 11 grandchildren Amanda (David) Fessehazion, Dane (Rachel) Taylor, John (Leslie) Schamel, Katherine (Zach) Bourelle, Luke (Zachry Kinnett) Stammen, Veronica Stammen, Lucy Sulfridge (Zack McCann), Zoe (Ryan Culver) Sulfridge, Sam Sulfridge, Case and Cali Davidson. Nine Great grandchildren Emaline and Eden Fessehazion, Reese and Molly Taylor, Scarlett, John, and Leia Schamel, and Zane and Nash Bourelle. Donna is also survived by her brother, Herbert Huck Jr. of Missouri. She also leaves behind countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Donna (affectionately nicknamed The Moose) was a lifelong resident of Vandalia, Ohio, though her military marriage took her to Germany and Kentucky for a few years. Donna left high school in 1956 to marry and start her family, but bravely went back as a traditional student with her own teenage children and graduated from Butler High School in 1978. She was on the BHS inaugural Kickline squad in 1952! Her alumni reunion routine gave her and her family endless belly laughs. Donna worked at Henger's IGA in Vandalia until it closed in 1997, and then at Custom Nickel Plating of Dayton until her retirement in 2020. She was also a faithful member of Vandalia Nazarene Church where she taught Sunday school, served at VBS and kids camp, sang in the choir, and helped any way she could. She considered VNC a part of her family.

Donna had a BIG personality! She always wore bold patterns and colors. She had a quick wit and incredible sense of humor. Most weekends you could find her thrift store shopping. The gaudier the find, the better was her opinion. She loved the beach, Tab and Diet Coke, Doritos, Esther Price chocolates, cats, traveling, collecting, attending the myriad of performances and sporting events for her grandchildren, attending church and Bible Study at VNC, and a really good salad. Her greatest love was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a faithful disciple of Christ all of her life.

Her family and friends will miss her cheek pinches, comforting words of wisdom, her zingers, loud outfits with gaudy jewelry, and how her presence just made every situation better. Her life was not an easy one, but she always showed up with humility, authenticity, and her signature humor. She was known for saying 'Life is not a dress rehearsal', and tried to live her life accordingly.

A celebration of life has been planned for 'The Moose' on Saturday, January, 17, 2026 at 2 pm at Vandalia Nazarene Church. VNC is located at 620 Stonequarry Rd. Dayton, OH 45414. Pastor Mark Batton is officiating. Please don't feel like you need to wear black or dress up. Donna wanted people to wear bold and bright colors and to be comfortable.