Victor E. Colnar, passed away January 22, 2017, in Sheridan, WY. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.

The world lost a true gem of a man on January 22. Victor E. Colnar was a man of integrity and character, one who lived an honest, simple life and who gave more than he received.

Victor E. Colnar (September 14, 1926-January 22, 2017), fifth son of immigrants Helen Crnkovich and Martin Colnar, rose in the East and set in the West. The native Pittsburgher moved with his wife to Sheridan to be with his daughters in 2007 and embraced the wide-open spaces of Wyoming, majestic mountains and abundant wildlife.

Vic was a World War II veteran and served as a clerk in the army due to his proficiency in typing and stenography. He was based in San Francisco, Mobile, AL and Cheyenne. After an honorable discharge, he got his Associate’s in Business from Robert Morris Junior College and later attended Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie-Mellon University) where he met the vivacious Lana Knezac. They married in 1955, had two daughters, and settled in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA. Vic worked as an office manager at specialty steels company, Allegheny-Ludlum, for 45 years.

He was a present and involved dad, who along with Lana, introduced his daughters to the wonders of great art and shepherded them to music lessons and symphony practices. He helped with math homework and taught them to drive, as well as do basic auto maintenance. He was a fine woodworker, making furniture they will have forever. This is the guy who was home every night for dinner, who paid for college and who was always there.

Vic enjoyed spending time with his dogs, tinkering with his tractor, mowing acres of grass, caring for horses, and watching birds and other wildlife on the property.

He embraced his daughters’ friends and they, him, which resulted in a rich life for him in Sheridan. The Senior Center enhanced his last years, particularly with his senior companion of three years, Don Knieval. Green House Living for Sheridan was pivotal in making his last ten days comfortable.

His brothers Martin, John, William and Frank all predeceased him.  He is survived by daughters, Claudia Colnar (Steve Dudley), and Rebecca Colnar (Casey Mott).

Donations in his memory may be made to the Sheridan Senior Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801,
Green House Living for Sheridan, 2311 Shirley Cove, Sheridan, WY  82801
Sheridan Dog and Cat Shelter, 84 E. Ridge Rd., Sheridan, WY  82801.

Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.

Sheridan & Johnson County Obituaries