Buck Collins

Auburn – Buck Collins passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2025 surrounded by his wife and family.

He was born March 15, 1949 to Martin and Mattie Collins in Jonesville, Virginia.

Buck married his partner in life, Lisa on July 4, 1992.

He served as a Marine in the Tet Offensive in Vietnam receiving an honorable discharge after sustaining a gunshot wound to his leg and was a 3-time Purple Heart recipient. Buck lived his life to its fullest, never missing an opportunity to share his colorful life’s stories and knowledge and was teasingly referred to as the “Mayor of Auburn”. He loved helping anyone in need, especially other veterans.

His passions in life were his wife, Lisa, children, grandchildren and family. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, raising a garden and his beloved backhoe and his Harley.

Buck was Co-Owner of the Retreat and Cricket’s Tavern and he ran his own heavy equipment construction company.

He attended Auburn Baptist Church and was a former Street Commissioner for the Town of Waterloo. He was a member of the American Legion Post 97 of Auburn.

Surviving is his wife, Lisa; children, Michelle (Gabe) Krause, Erin (Mike) Thomason, and Ryan (Liz) Cox; grandchildren, Madeline and Samuel Cox, Miles Thomason, Austin Collins-Carr, Tairen Krause; great grandchildren, Atlas Krause, Trace Collins-Carr; Sisters, Opal Link and Roxie Cooper and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ernie Collins, sister-in-law, Linda Collins, brother-in-law, Ervin Link.

Special thank-you to Home Health Aides, Karen and Keri, Hospice nurses, Heather and April and Dr Phillip Chase, MD.

A Memorial service will be 1 PM Saturday April 5, 2025 at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center Street, Auburn, IN with burial to follow the service in Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn. Rev Bill Weaver will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 PM Friday April 4, 2025 at the funeral home. Memorials can be given in memory of Buck to the American Legion Post 97. To send condolences to the family visit www.fellerandclark.com.

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