Richard Alvis Kollars, 89, of Whitney passed away March 16, 2016 at home with his family by his side. He was born March 25, 1926 in Madison, Nebraska to Ruby and Alvis Kollars. He grew up on a farm near Madison. In March of 1944 he joined the Navy and served his county in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Sidney and Alliance before settling into ranching and the refrigeration business in northwest Nebraska. He married Joan Blust of Whitney on June 16, 1957.
He is survived by his wife, four children and eight grandchildren: Tim, Renee, Diana and John Kollars of Alliance; Patty, Joel, Mykayla, Madison, and Levi Calhoun of Whitney; Ron, Sue, and Madeline Kollars of Fort Collins, and Leise, Richard, Ariana and Rachel Foster of Anchorage, AK. He is also survived by two brothers, Les and Dale, a sister Elaine (Norman) Grasshorn. He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant granddaughter, Marie Nicole Kollars, and his brother Virgil.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 21, 2016 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron with Pastor Aaron Sprock officiating. Burial will be at the Alliance VA cemetery with military honors provided.