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Brent Collins Obituary
Brent W. Collins, 38, of West Reading, Pa., died July 6, 2015 at 12:08 a.m. in the Reading Hospital shortly after arrival.
He was the husband of Kim (Taylor) Collins. They were married for 13 years. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of Beth (Vilski) Collins of Akron, Ohio and the late Robert D. Collins. He worked for Lowe's for 11 years, last working July 4th as an assistant store manager. He had previously taught art at RACC and Penn State-Berks for several years as an adjunct professor. As an artist, he showed his work locally at the Google Works, Reading, the Freyberger Gallery, Penn State Berks, and several times at the New Arts Gallery, Kutztown. His work was also shown in Shanghai, China, Youngstown University, Folk Hall at Akron University, the Cranbrook Museum in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and his work is a permanent part of the Daimler-Chrysler collection in Detroit. Brent's paintings were also featured in the New American Paintings publication. He was a graduate of Akron North H.S., Akron University and Cranbrook Academy of Arts, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. During his senior year in high school he studied at Kent State. Brent also completed an Information Systems accelerated program at Albright University just a few years ago. Brent was a man with many talents. Brent loved painting; art in general was his passion along with his children and family. He enjoyed travel, doing things around the house and was always open to eating different foods. He also enjoyed camping, kayaking and fishing.
Surviving in addition to his wife and mother are his two children, Phoebe E. Collins and Silas-Robert T. Collins. There are also brothers, Brian, husband of Chandi Collins and Bob, husband of Marissa Collins; and sister, Becky Zager, all of Akron, Ohio. There are many nieces and nephews.
A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m., with a time for sharing at 3 p.m. Service will be held at Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., One East Lancaster Avenue, Shillington. Brent is also having a closing reception at the New Arts Gallery, 173 W. Main St., Kutztown, Pa., on July 12th from 12 to 3 p.m. for his current show, Seventh Proposition for the Construction of a Painting in the Post-Historical Age. Please remember Brent by making contributions, in lieu of flowers, to Collins Education, c/o Santander Bank, 840 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brent Collins
Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.
Silas Collins
November 2, 2022
I´m his son much sad
Beatrice Marinescu
July 14, 2015
Horrible horrible news I wanted this to not be true. Brent was always a nice guy never had a mean streak. I worked with him at lowes and I remember he was drinking out of a mug that had a picture of his daughter she was just born. He was such a proud father. His wife, kids and his art was everything. Brent you really made me think of how fragile this life is. One moment you are here and the next moment gone. Thank goodness for faith in God because I'm sure heaven is beautiful
Toni Lisa
July 13, 2015
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.
Martha Nix
July 12, 2015
Brent was my favorite stock boy way back when I worked at kaufmanns. We liked all the same off-beat movies and shows. Loved him so much. I can't imagine how much he will be missed. My heart goes out to the whole family.
July 12, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Rita Doyle
July 11, 2015
You will be truly miss at lowes and my prayers go to his family .
Kelly
July 10, 2015
My thoughts And prayer go out to Brent's family. I went to school with Brent from middle school on and worked with him at Builders Square. His art work was amazing. Always had a smile on his face. Great person. Saddens me he is gone so young. RIP Brent.
Marcy McIlwain
July 10, 2015
Brent was an amazing person. I loved all of our star wars talks and how much he talked about his kids and his art. He had the type of jokes that you would shake your head at but then when you saw him laughing at his own jokes it just made you laugh too. Work has not been the same this week without him, but we will push forward and perform and our very best because that is what Brent would want. My heart goes out to Brent's entire family especially to his with and kids. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
John Fankhauser
July 10, 2015
Brent... the little kid a few doors down the street. The youngest brother of two of my best friends on ol' Collinwood. An infectious smile coupled with that knit Pepsi hat made him about the cutest all American kid on the planet... one you might see on cereal boxes or in toy commercials... but nothing artificial. Brent was genuine... the real deal. He grew up into a fine young man and a talented artist. His family is proud of him and deservedly so. He was raised right and carried those values into another generation. I mostly know Brent from his childhood... I am proud to have known him and proud of the man he became but not the least bit surprised. Hoping heaven is your blank canvas and you are hard at work... Godspeed little "B"... and God bless your great family.
Kathy Kalbach
July 10, 2015
I can only remember Brent as a fun loving young man. All the many drawing done with his bother Bobby and my son Michael along with their band Mortal Destiny. Halloween in the back your haunted walk through and many more memories. He will be missed by all who Knew him. RIP Brent.
Sue Ritter
July 10, 2015
We are so sorry to hear about Brent. Linda and Brad have kept us up to date over the years about your beautiful family and we know what a wonderful dad Brent was! We are thinking about you and praying for you all. Sincerely, Sue, Randy, Natalie, and Thomas Ritter (Linda's sister and family)
Linda Lee
July 10, 2015
A wonderful Person and a wonderful Artist. Your fellow artists in Akron will miss you
Jessica
July 10, 2015
All my prayers and sent to your family right now. A loss is a hard thing and losing someone as wonderful as you makes it even harder. you are an angel flying in heaven right now. Fly Brent.
Kathy Bowman
July 10, 2015
I am very sorry for your loss
Stacey H
July 10, 2015
You don't know me but I am a friend of one of your friends.
Prayers to your family as my husband in heaven also probably shaking his head in disbelief for a life lost too soon
Zach Schwarz
July 10, 2015
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Corrine
July 10, 2015
My thoughts go out to your family, your Lowe's family and everyone that got the great chance to meet you. I hope your children look upon the sky and take comfort seeing the clouds making shapes. Knowing that you drew them just for them.. Fly high
Tanya Fierro
July 10, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the Collins family. Brent may you R.I.P.
Najat Tebcherani
July 9, 2015
Your one in a millon your talent your personality your family. I havent seen you in a few years and now very hard to believe your gone. Im sure your in heaven remembering the good times with your dad ...till we meet again my friend keep looking down on your beautiful family who i consider mine also. God bless you all of the Collins family in this time call me anytime im there for you all.
July 9, 2015
Brent was an amazing person to have known. We both loved working with him. He has touched many lives and even though he is gone he will never be forgotten. Brent, thank you for being patient with me when times got tough and making me feel like a part of the family at Hamburg Lowe's, and thank you for your advise to my fiancé on her health you truly inspired her to turn around for the better of her family. "Good friends never say goodbye they simply say see you again", take it easy till we meet again my friend.
Amanda Salvi and Bradly Kupp
Hamburg, Pennsylvania
Brian Hafer
July 9, 2015
To a great guy I had the privilege to work with for many years at lowe's in reading 279. My deepest sympathy to the Collins family.
LeRoy Hetrick
July 9, 2015
He will be missed by his Lowes family.
William Gilcrist
July 9, 2015
Our sincere condolences to Brent's family, friends and Alumni. We have added Brent W. Collins to the North High Viking (Class of 1995) web site, www.northhighviking.com.
His Memorial will be on this site for eternity. Anyone can visit it and post comments. We are sorry to hear of your loss. It always touches us when we have to add a Viking alumnus to our memorial page. Brent W. Collins.
William Gilcrist Site Creator
Wooster Ohio
mary Christ Clayborn
July 9, 2015
My deepest sympathies for the Collins family during this sad time. May God's grace be with you.
Lloyd & Georgann Geedey
July 9, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family during this time of sorrow. God is with you and Brent will always remain close in your hearts.
Lloyd & Georgann Geedey
Tonya Davis
July 9, 2015
Chandi and Brian, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family.
Luz Liberato
July 9, 2015
You were a great instructor at RACC, a few years later we met again at Lowes of 5th street. You also were a great coworker. So sad you are no longer with us, will be missed a lot
Karen Moser
July 9, 2015
My children Derek and Allison and our family are so saddened by your loss. Our prayers to your family and children.
Marla Cole
July 9, 2015
My prayers are with the Collins family at this time. I attended school with Becky who was one of my first friends when I moved to North Hill. I never had the pleasure of meeting Brent..he sounded like a very awesome guy and if he was as nice and friendly as Becky then the world is going to miss him greatly! Becky I am so sorry and you know I feel your pain well, I have lost two brothers at a young age and most recently in March of this year. Love of a sister is like no other and I know our brothers are looking down from Heaven upon us as they walk the streets of gold, knowing your brother lots more streets are painted with other colors! He is Gods artist now! My brother is putting music to his paintings and the other dances to it all!...Thank you for your friendship through my middle school years and for always smiling through everything, keep that smile, i know your brother would like to see that stick around and not grieve more than you should. God bless your family and just know you are in my thoughts today. Sending a big hug your way! Much love and blessing for the Collins family!
Hilary Peddigree
July 9, 2015
I am very grateful to have known you and to have learned from you. Your presence is already missed at work. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. Your life is one to be celebrated.
Shelby Jones
July 9, 2015
Brent,
Your family here at lowe's will always keep your memory alive. We all miss you! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family! Fly high.
July 9, 2015
I have wonderful heartfelt childhood memories with Brent. You will be missed. Love and Prayers to The entire family.
Kristin Kalbach
Trey Long
July 9, 2015
Brent touched a lot of lives here at Lowe's. He was a true leader and a great friend. He will be missed but not forgotten rest easy my friend.
Adam Speck
July 9, 2015
My prayers go out to Brent's family, he will be missed.
Kendra Wiley
July 9, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kim and his two young children. May you find comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Susan
July 9, 2015
My deepest condolences to Brent's family. He was an excellent instructor of art and a fine artist.
Jerry & Lynn Lyell
July 9, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Love and prayers.
john brode
July 9, 2015
I'm so sorry for your loss,my utmost condolences to the entire Collins family.
Matthew Witman
July 9, 2015
Brent,
I am fortunate to have known such an ambitious and intelligent person in my lifetime. I have learned so much working with you that it's hard to imagine it any other way. You sought to provide a better life for your family, whether it was furthering your career with Lowe's or going back to school to expand your horizons. You always delivered. You will be missed.
Your tech buddy,
John Fankhauser
July 9, 2015
Brent... the little kid a few doors down the street. The youngest brother of two of my best friends on ol' Collinwood. An infectious smile coupled with that knit Pepsi hat made him about the cutest all American kid on the planet... one you might see on cereal boxes or in toy commercials... but nothing artificial. Brent was genuine... the real deal. He grew up into a fine young man and a talented artist. His family is proud of him and deservedly so. He was raised right and carried those values into another generation. I mostly know Brent from his childhood... I am proud to have known him and proud of the man he became but not the least bit surprised. Hoping heaven is your blank canvas and you are hard at work... Godspeed little "B"... and God bless your great family.
July 9, 2015
Deepest Sympathy and Sending Prayers to family and friends
Auntie Laura
July 9, 2015
My Dear Brentie rest in peace
Linda Helwig
July 9, 2015
You will be dearly missed by your family here at Lowe's. I pray your family finds peace and knows that you will always be watching over them.
Tracy and Terry Sandberg
July 9, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Collins family at this time of devastating loss.
Maro Adams
July 8, 2015
My sincere condolences to Brent's family.
May God Bless you all.
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Memorial Events
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Jul
12
Memorial Gathering
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.1 East Lancaster Avenue, Shillington, PA 19607
Funeral services provided by:
Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.1 East Lancaster Avenue, Shillington, PA 19607
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