John R. Kolbek, 84, of Sabetha, formerly of Topeka and Holton, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2014 at Stormont-Vail.

He was born, May 28, 1930 in Silver Lake, KS the son of John F. and Mattie M. (Viles) Kolbek. John proudly served his country with the United States Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He was a lifetime member of the Holton VFW. He worked in a small business repairing fishing equipment in Topeka and also Goodyear Tire where he retired from after 16 years. On August 7, 1955 he married Betty J. Wendt in Holton. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include: his children, Kathleen Ann Kesler (Jim) of Sabetha, KS, Ronald S. Kolbek (Cindy) of Topeka, KS, and Jeffrey Kolbek of Sabetha, KS; his brothers, Harold Kolbek of Holton, KS and Raymond Kolbek of Burlington, KS; and his 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, John E. Kolbek on January 13, 2011, and his sisters, Karen White and Dorothy Kolbek.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 5^th, 2014 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Olive Hill Cemetery with full military honors. The family will greet friends Monday evening at the funeral home from 7:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family would like memorials to be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Gideon’s International and contributions may be sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton 66436. To leave a special message for the family visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com