John Arthur (Art) Rolo

John Arthur (Art) Rolo, age 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Art left a legacy of unwavering devotion to his family.

He was born on August 22, 1936, on the family farm near Radium, Kansas, the son of Francis Andrew and Mary Catherine (Bowman) Rolo. Growing up on the family farm among his many siblings, Art experienced a childhood rich in adventure and family values that would shape his life. Growing up during the Great Depression, he learned the values of hard work, resilience, and family, and passed those lessons on to his own children.

Art graduated from Zook High School in 1954. After graduation, he joined the Army National Guard and served for 6 years while also working for Flex Weight Corporation, hauling pipe. After that, he worked for Nadel & Gussman Oil Producers for almost 51 years, serving as a roustabout, field foreman, and production man. His oilfield legacy is well-deserved and earned over a career spanning more than five decades.

On September 3, 1961, Art married the love of his life, Sharon Kathleen Stewart, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. Together, they shared a life of nearly 65 years. They were blessed with three children who were raised in Plainville, which became the family’s permanent home.

Art was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his older brother Allan and his oilfield buddies, with whom he frequently spent time with. He also enjoyed traveling with his family. He was known as “Grandpa” and “Papa” and spent many hours with his grandkids taking them “worm hunting”, “junking,” and tickling the ones he could catch with his whiskers. Last, but not least, Art enjoyed watching his beloved KU Jayhawks. Art will be remembered with love by all his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of the home, Sharon Rolo, and their three children: Bryan Rolo (Laura) of Cypress, Texas, Kimberly (Bill) Foster of Plainville, and Tonya Rolo (Jay) of Blair, Neb.; four grandchildren: Ashley Rolo Letsos, Brooklyn Foster, Arryn Rolo Cole, and Brennan Foster; eight great-grandchildren; and a younger brother, Larry Rolo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Mary Rolo; his brothers, Allan, Keith, Kenneth, Bryce, Wilbur, and Barry; his sister, Louise; and his infant sister, Mary Ann.

In Psalm 23:6, King David reminds us, “Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” As Art enters his new home, he will be greatly missed, but we rejoice until the day we see him again.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Plainville at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on Friday, 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home in Plainville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association, or to family wishes, and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.