Judge John B. Collins dies at age 83

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Judge John B. Collins (retired) died Dec. 14 following a lengthy illness with Lewy Body Dementia.

A native of Ishpeming, and a graduate of Ishpeming High School, Collins earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University, where he completed a U.S. Marine Corps Officer Training Program at Quantico, Va., and received an honorable discharge.

After earning his J.D. degree in 1962 from Cleveland Marshall Law School of Cleveland State University, he was admitted to practice in the state of Michigan in 1963 and became a practicing lawyer in Ypsilanti from 1963 to 1985.

He was elected to 14-B District Court in 1985 and served as the Chief Judge of that court and senior judge in the Washtenaw County Trial Court until retirement.

Collins was a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Washtenaw County Bar Association, Ypsilanti Bar Association, Michigan District Judges Association and American Judges Association.

He served as general counsel for the Eastern Michigan Police Officers Association and the Ypsilanti Police Officer Association. He served as the Ypsilanti Township attorney and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1969, the United States District Court as well as the United State Court of Appeals.

He was a member of the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program, State Bar of Michigan along with numerous civic organizations; and was on the Board of Directors for Options Inc., Leaders in Prevention and the Michigan Substance Abuse Committee.

Survivors include his wife Patricia, six children, nine grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 410 W. Cross Street.

Contributions in Collins’ memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org), Home of New Vision or Safe House Center.