John Lucas Oplotnik, 88, of rural Girard, Kansas passed away Friday, March 15, 2024, at Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas.
John was born August 19, 1935, in Girard, a son of John Oplotnik, Sr. and Stefanie (Angel) Oplotnik. He attended Cavanaugh Country Grade School, and he graduated from Girard High School.
John was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, the Knights of Columbus in Girard, a Grant Township committeeman, St. Aloysius parish council, and numerous other organizations.
John and Charlene Marie Fager were united in marriage on April 23, 1960, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul, Kansas. She survives of the home. They celebrated 63 years of marriage.
John worked at Dickey Clay in Pittsburg, Kansas, the Parsons Livestock Auction in Parsons, Kansas, and he was a seed dealer for Dekalb and Asgrow Seeds as well as a lifelong farmer. John was a hard-working man who farmed and raised livestock. In his later years, he could often be found driving around and overseeing the farm operations. He enjoyed playing cards, gambling, sharing memories with friends, and spending time with his grandchildren. John was blessed with four grandchildren who he loved very much.
He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Girard.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, Charlene, of the home, are his children, Rita Oplotnik of Overland Park, Kansas, Donna Martin, and her husband, Mike, of Girard, Kansas, his son, Michael of Girard, Kansas, Cathy Oplotnik of Pittsburg, Kansas, and his grandchildren Drew Martin, Luke Martin, Anne Marie Martin, and Brett Oplotnik. Additional survivors include his sister, Anna Fern Snow of Girard, and brother-in-law, Jerry Fager of St. Paul, his sisters-in-law, Sandra Oplotnik of Girard, Olive Brungardt of South Mound, and Mary Jo Bradshaw of St. Paul. John will be lovingly remembered as well by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Frank E. Oplotnik.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Girard, Kansas, with Fr. Daniel Vacca, Fr. Andrew Labenz, and Fr. Mike Simone as concelebrants. The Parish Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, at Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. The family will receive friends following the rosary. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to St. Michael's Catholic Church or St. Aloysius Historical Society, and these may be left at the church, the funeral home, or mailed to Smith-Carson-Wall, 518 W. St. John, P.O. Box 258, Girard, Kansas 66743. Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Salvador, the Girard Medical Center staff, Father Vacca, and all who helped care for John and supported the family. The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, and kindness expressed at this difficult time.
