Born August 17, 1917 in Saginaw County, Michigan and graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, Erna Eleanor Collier died, Tuesday, December 17, 2013 in Columbia, SC. In June of 1947 Erna married Harley A. Collier of Saginaw who preceded her in death on October 28, 1988. They lived in Michigan, Connecticut, Indiana and retired to Sun City Center, Florida in 1980.

She is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Lynn and grandson, James Collier Kaukula of Atlanta, GA; son, H. Gary Collier and daughter-in-law, Delores, of Columbia, SC; and grandchildren, Joel (Suzanne) Collier of Asheville, NC, Hannah Collier of Columbia and Leah Collier (Greg) Brown of Fairport, NY; as well as 3 great grandchildren, Avery Collier, Jackson and Reagan Brown. She was preceded in death by her brother, Allen Hahn in August 1964.

Erna was a Sunday School teacher for 8 years at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, Connecticut and an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sun City Center, Florida, serving more than 12 years on the Church Fellowship Committee and delivering Meals-On-Wheels. Before marrying, she worked at S.S. Kressges, Lufkin Rule and was later bookkeeper at Cromwell Crest Nursing Home. Erna took pride in her home and particularly loved dancing, golf, rose gardening and playing card games. She was known by her friends as outgoing and full of smiles and laughter.

A memorial service for Mrs. Collier will be held 3 o'clock, Sunday, December 29th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3909 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC, with The Rev. Greg Brown and The Rev. Kris Litman-Koon officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 701 Valley Forge Blvd, Sun City Center, FL 33573.