Lynn P. Collins

Lynn Christy Powell Collins, 76, passed away in Port Charlotte, FL, on December 21, 2017, after a long-running battle with a degenerative illness.

Lynn was born in 1941 in Frankfort, IN, of Beverly June Christy Powell and Evert Guy Powell. She was a 1960 graduate of Frankfort High School and went on to a career in legal and law enforcement administration, spending most of her professional years as Chief Probation Officer of Tipton County, ultimately retiring as investigator to the prosecutor in 2001. Lynn’s gift for helping others knew few bounds, both in her professional and personal life. She helped create Tipton’s Community Serve-Us program, coordinated the county’s Child Protection Team, and was appointed as an Honorary Attorney General and Advocate of the State of Indiana.

Lynn married Stephen Hardy Collins in 1961. They lived for a time in California, were then stationed with the Army at Ft. Bragg, NC, and returned home to raise their family in Tipton. Lynn was active in the Kemp United Methodist Church. Her passion for helping young people led her to direct the church’s youth group with Steve for several years. That same passion was evident as she and Steve were short-term foster parents to 14 kids over the course of seven years. Lynn’s flair for connecting with people was remarkable. Anyone who met her — even briefly — rarely forgot her honest, caring nature, her incredible empathy, her warmth, and, of course, her laugh. In her retirement, Lynn and Steve split their time between Tipton, IN and Punta Gorda, FL, where she continued to entertain, laugh, and love.

Lynn is survived by her husband Stephen, sister Vicki Powell Mauro, and children Corbin (Jamie), Christopher (Nancy), and Stephanie Quigley (Matt). She and Steve have three grandchildren: Lucy June Quigley, Samuel Matthew Quigley, and Louie Francis Collins. They also have two spiritual grandchildren, Dylan Anderson and Aidan Anderson.

A memorial celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Kemp United Methodist Church, 228 N. Main Street, Tipton, with visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church.  Lynn will be buried in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lynn’s name to Project Home Indy, an organization that Lynn supported that helps young families in need.