John Bogomir Celar, age 86, of Helena passed away Thursday, September 30th at the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Ft. Harrison.
John was born in Trees Mills, Pennsylvania November 20, 1923 to John and Eva (Fenda) Celar. Following his High School graduation, John enlisted into the United States Army at Fort Lewis Washington, serving in the South Pacific from February 17, 1943 to January 21, 1946. John was honorably discharged from military service from Fort Lewis Washington and returned to Montana where he worked for B.F. Goodrich in Helena. John worked for the State of Montana in the Sign Shop from 1947 to 1963. John and Harriet Arthun were married June 20, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Helena.
He and Harriet moved to Bozeman where John attended Montana State University graduating with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1967. While living in Bozeman, they became Charter members of Christ the King Lutheran Church. They returned to Helena. John began his teaching career at C.R. Anderson School teaching shop. He also taught drivers education and was the head of the Montana Safety Council for years.
John enjoyed hobbies of antique cars, hot rods custom cars, pretty much anything with wheels, and art. John took pride and volunteered his time for years in the Lewis & Clark Veterans Council, which was involved in the military burial detail of our veterans.
John was preceded in death by his mother, father and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Harriet of Helena; sons, L. John Celar of Bozeman, Steve Celar of Helena and daughter, Susan of Great Falls and five grandchildren. Sisters-in-law Verna Stoneberg and Kathryn Arthun.
Visitation will be from noon to 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 4th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 5th, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Sue Bartlett & Gene Fenderson says
Hello Harriet,
We remember John fondly. He was such a positive person, hard worker and great sign painter (a good election judge too). He will be missed. You remain in our thoughts and we send our deepest sympathy.
Nellie and John Liston says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during bthese said days.