Helen Collins Obituary
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Helen was born June 26, 1928 in Jersey City to Anthony and Mildred (Ernst) Ruther. The family moved to Union Beach, New Jersey about 1933.
She was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Hazlet for over 42 years.
Helen was predeceased by her parents. Her beloved husband of 38 years, Joseph H. "Pete" Collins, Jr., passed away in 1991. In 2019 her devoted sister, Dorothy Keough, passed away. Her brother, Edward Ruther passed away in 2023.
She is survived by her son Joseph H. Collins, III of California; her daughter, Sharon Collins Letu of Westampton, N.J.; her sister-in-law, Patricia Ruther of Aberdeen, N.J.; grandson, Christopher Letu of Westampton, N.J. and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
For over 20 years Helen was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lincoln Hose Fire Department in Keyport, as well as the ladies auxiliary of the Keyport VFW Post #4247. She was a member of the Keyport Republican Club. For many years, Helen was a member of the Keyport Seniors Association. She enjoyed participating in the KeySteppers, a line dance group that performed in local nursing homes. Helen was also a member of the Hazlet, N.J. Seniors Club and with them visited various states on bus trips coordinated by her sister-in-law Hazel Collins Feick.
Family and friends may visit on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Bedle Funeral Home, 212 Main St, Matawan, NJ. 732-566-1962. Burial will be on Monday, June 2, 2025 at Shoreland Memorial Gardens in Hazlet, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Helen's memory to the Monmouth County SPCA at https://monmouthcountyspca.org/ To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Helen I. Collins, please visit our Tree Store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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