Collins - Belle Sidener
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review 3 June 1963 p 1
Mrs. Belle Collins, 94, died Sunday morning in the Ben Hur Nursing Home after an extended illness. She resided at 500 W. Main St. The family home was built 79 years ago by her parents. Mrs. Collins, a resident of this city the past 60 years, was editor of the Ben Hur Life Association publication "The Chariot" 47 years until her retirement in 1949. She was a member of the First Methodist Church, Simonides Court, OES 97, American Legion Auxiliary, DAR and Women's Relief Corps. She served as state president of the Women's Relief Corps 1942-43 and was past president of the local chapter 1929-30 and its treasurer from 1931 until 1962. Born Nov. 7, 1868, she was the daughter of Charles and Minnie Myers Ryan Sidener. She married Joseph R. Collins April 27, 1890 at the family home. Mr. and Mrs. Collins resided at Kankakee, Ill. for a period of time. Mrs. Collins was an 1888 graduate of St. Mary's of the Woods. Surviving are a son, John B. of Indianapolis; a brother, Howard Sidener of Sacramento, Calif.; a grandson, John B. Collins II of Indianapolis; and two granddaughters, Mrs. R. C. Cunningham of Birmingham, Mich. and Indiana University and a nationally known swimmer. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Charles T. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Bright Funeral Home. Rev. W. Goddard Sherman, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will be in charge. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review 6-Jun-1963 p 2
Rites Wednesday For Belle Collins- Funeral services for Mrs. Belle Collins, 94, who died here Sunday are announced for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Bright Funeral Home. Rev. W. Goddard Sherman of the First Methodist Church will be the minister. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Tuesday. Mrs. Collins, who lived here the last 60 years, was for 47 years editor of The Chariot, publication of the Ben Hur Life Association
File Created: 10-10-2011 - kz - thanks so much, Ginny A for typing :)
Source: Indianapolis Star Tue 4 June 1963 p 13
Crawfordsville, Ind – Funeral services for Mrs. Belle Sidener Collins, 94 years old, Crawfordsville civic leader and member of a pioneer family here will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Bright Funeral Home here. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Collins died Sunday morning in a Crawfordsville nursing home.
She was the grandmother of 19-year-old Becky Collins, world swimming champion from Indianapolis, who in 1959 was the Pan-American gold medal winner in the women’s 100-meter butterfly and 400-meter medley relay. Mrs. Collins was editor of the Chariot, a paper published by the Ben Hur Life Insurance Association for 47 years, retiring in 1949. She was a state president of the Women’s Relief Corps, and also was president and treasurer from 1931 to 1962 of the Crawfordsville WRC Chapter. She was an 1888 graduate of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College at Terre Haute and following her marriage in 1890 lived at Kankakee, Ill for a few years. She moved back to her native Crawfordsville 60 years ago. She was a member of the First Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of American Revolution and Athens Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors are a son, John B. Collins of the advertising department of the Indianapolis Star and Indianapolis News; a brother, Howard Sidener of Sacramento, Cal and four grandchildren.