Benjamin Morlan Collins, 24, died May 26, 2008, in rural Hutchinson.

He was born Nov. 10, 1983, in Wichita, son of Arthur J. and Sallie Pendleton Collins. He was a 2002 graduate of Emporia High School and received his associate degree in Fire Science from Hutchinson Community College, where he was currently attending. A resident of Hutchinson for six years, formerly a longtime resident of Emporia, he was manager of the GNC Nutrition Store in the Hutchinson Mall.

Survivors include: father and step-mother, Jerry and Lisha Collins, Hutchinson; mother, Sallie Collins, Ankeny, Iowa; brother, Arthur J. "Josh" Collins and sister-in-law, Melissa Buren, Kansas City; sister, Emily Pendleton, Ankeny, Iowa; grandparents, Art and Mabel Collins, Hutchinson; companion, Heather Bale, of the home; uncles and aunts, Woody Pendleton, Cynthia and Larry J. Eisenhauer, Gretchen and Stan Williams, Sarah and Tim Aschbrenner, Tom and Suzanne Collins; and cousins, Tom Collins, Kristin Kohn, Susann, Nathan and Taylor Eisenhauer, Tyler, Joel and Logan Aschbrenner, Amber and Mariah Williams.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Woodrow W. and Mary C. Pendleton.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Alan Stambaugh presiding. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the mortuary. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Memorials may be sent to Winding Road Equine Rescue in care of the mortuary. Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.