Johnny (John) Leo Kolar 87 of Sargent Nebraska, passed away at Community Memorial Healthcare on October 13, 2026, due to complications of a stroke.
John was born in Comstock on April 4, 1939, to Lillian (Urban) & Anton Kolar. John grew up on the family farm and attended Comstock School, graduating in 1955 at the age of sixteen.
John remained on the farm with his mom Lillian until he married Marilyn Freeman on March 12, 1966, at the Methodist Church in Burwell. John and Marilyn were married for 60 years this March.
To this union, three kids were born, Benjamin (Ben) in 1967, Cinthia (Cindy) in 1971 and Ann in 1975. John was immensely proud of his children no matter the activity in which they were involved.
Also being a grandpa to Matthew, Coleton, Charyssa, Samantha, Raja and Addelle and bragging about them in general always brought a smile to his face.
In the summer you could find John fishing or in his flower or vegetable garden pulling weeds or making sure that all of the plants got their required dose of miracle grow. He was most proud of the Hosta garden he had established.
John worked various jobs throughout his life such as construction and building of the Sargent Irrigation Canal project. John started his career with Co-op first at the elevator and then became the tank wagon driver delivering diesel fuel to the farmers in the area where he was earned an award for delivering one million gallons of fuel in a single season. He remained at Co-op until its closing where he walked across the street and became the tank wagon driver for Sargent Oil until his retirement.
John was incredibly involved with the community in various different organizations, Key Amusement Raceway as the points keeper, Sargent Chamber of Commerce, Airport board, and church admin board but his passion was being a member of the Sargent Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. John joined the department in 1976, retired in 2004 as a firefighter with 28 years of service. During this time, he held the position of Assistant Fire Chief for the majority of that time. John obtained his EMT license in February 1980. He remained in the department until 2015 when an ocular stroke caused his retirement fully from the Sargent Volunteer Fire Department with 35 years of service as an EMT.
John is survived by his wife Marilyn of Sargent, his children and their spouses, Ben and Tammy Kolar of Central City NE, Brad and Cindy Schellpeper of Shelton NE, Srinath and Ann Chinnakotla of Edina MN, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Matthew Kolar Lincoln NE, Coleton, Paige, Rhett and Drake Schellpeper of Oxford, Charyssa, Derek, Brailyn and Legend Winkler of Shelton, Samantha, Christopher, Emily, Oakland and Christopher Henderson of Central City NE Adelle Chinnakolta of Edina MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents Anton and Lillian (Kolar) Fleming), stepfather Kenneth Fleming, Grandson Raja Anton Chinnakolta, Mother and Father in-law Morris and Dorthy Freeman, Sister in-laws Barb Freeman and Wilberta Hood. Brother in-laws Richard Freeman and Verlin Hood.
Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the Methodist Church in Sargent. Burial will follow in the Douglas Grove Cemetery. A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Sunday, November 1st from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to Sargent United Methodist Church or Sargent Fire & Rescue. The family requests all attending fire departments to wear their department attire and all others in attendance to wear bright colors. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at govierbrothers.com
