David William Kolar

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David William Kolar, 77, of Temperance, Mich. He was called to Heaven at 9:40 a.m. May 2, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, after three weeks of medical treatment. Dave had a rich life filled with love, hard work, and dedication to his family and community. Born on Nov. 7, 1945, he was one of seven children born to Stanley and Dorothy (Ascheman) Kolar of Lambertville, Mich. He attended St. Anthony Catholic School and graduated from Bedford High School, where he was honored to be named to the Great Lakes League All-League Team in football. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Eastern Michigan University in 1968. He married Charlene Joy Stemen on Aug. 20, 1966, and was a faithful husband and provider for 56 years.

Dave began his career as science and math teacher at Mason Consolidated School in Erie, Mich., where he coached the varsity football team and the freshman basketball team. During the summer months he worked as an electrician — a trade he had learned while in high school. It became his true calling. In the mid-1970s, Dave founded Kolar Electric, which became a very successful electrical contracting business and led to his retirement from teaching.

He was an outdoorsman who thoroughly enjoyed hunting deer, moose and elk, as well as fishing. He grew corn and soybeans for 50 years on his 30-acre property in Ida Township, plus farming additional acres on nearby rented land. Each summer, his 5-acre garden provided his family with bushels and bushels of vegetables.

A devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Dave’s faith played a significant role throughout his lifetime.

Dave’s personality was best described as generous, ingenious, honest, and hard-working. He shared valuable lessons with those around him, emphasizing the importance of working hard, working smart, and being dedicated to what you do. His accomplishments included helping to build houses for numerous family members, and providing construction and improvements to three shared “Up North” cottages. He enjoyed spending the winter months in Freeport, Bahamas, and had many wonderful friends there.

David Kolar’s extensive knowledge, wise advice, and unwavering love will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. We honor his memory and cherish the time we were fortunate enough to spend with him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Charlene; his children, Mark Thompson-Kolar of Ann Arbor, Mich., Deanna Kolar of West Lafayette, Ind., and Mike Kolar of Temperance, Mich.; his daughters-in-law, Keryn Thompson-Kolar and Rachel Kolar; his grandchildren, Luke, Lee, Alex, Olivia, and Jacob; and his great-granddaughters, Lydia and Adelaide. He is also survived by two brothers, Dale Kolar and Duane Kolar; two sisters, Margaret Rouleau and Geneva Pound; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dean Kolar and Daniel Kolar.

Visitation will be Friday May 5^th, 2023 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. in the Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel 8300 Lewis Ave. Temperance, MI where a rosary service will be at 4:00 P.M. The funeral mass will be celebrated, Saturday May 6^th, 2023 at 11:00 A.M in his longtime parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Temperance, where he will lie in state after 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.bedfordfuneralchapel.com