Cletus M. Collins; Insurance Agent, Volunteer

Cletus M. Collins, who owned an insurance agency in Los Angeles and was active with Catholic volunteer work, has died at his Glendale residence. He was 78.

Collins died Saturday of cancer, said his daughter, Karen Spencer.

Born in Kendall, Wis., Collins served as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II and settled in Los Angeles in 1946. The following year, he founded the firm which later became C.M. Collins & Associates Insurance Co. He remained owner of the company, now called Collins & English Insurance Agency, until his death.

In 1963-64, Collins served as president of Community Chest, a predecessor of United Way. He also served on the board of directors for Catholic Charities and was a Eucharistic minister at Holy Family Catholic Church in Glendale. In 1987, he received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Pope John Paul II for his service to the Catholic community.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Emma Collins of Glendale; sons Tim Collins of La Canada Flintridge, Michael Collins of Seal Beach, Patrick Collins of Bakersfield and Terence Collins of Robinson, Ill.; daughters Kathleen Collins of Santa Monica and Karen Spencer of Fresno; brother John Collins of Kendall, Wis.; sisters Harriet Marx of Viroqua, Wis., Lucielle Kelly of Woodruff, Wis., and Charlotte Messmer of Janesville, Wis.; 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Holy Family Catholic Church, 209 E. Lomita Ave. in Glendale.

Burial will follow at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills.

Donations can be made in Collins’ name to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 15095, Los Angeles 90015, or to the American Cancer Society.