John is survived by his beloved wife, Linda; daughters, Jeretta Neitz (Dan) and Holly McComb (David); son, Kyle Sherar; brother, Bob Sherar; brother-in-law, Jack Fortner; grandchildren, Desiree Avila (Dario), Jonathan (Meghan), Zachary McComb (Annie), and Michael Incardona (Jackie); eight cherished great-grandchildren, Carli, Taylor, Gracie, Brooke, Kylie, Ella, Hanna, and Samuel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was known for his unwavering work ethic, his kind and generous heart, his warm smile, and his infectious laugh. He loved deeply, served faithfully, and lived each day with purpose.
He attended Galen Clark, Farmdale, and John Muir Elementary Schools, Merced High School, and Merced College. As a young boy, he worked as a newspaper carrier, and while attending high school, he drove school buses. After graduating, John proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his country from 1951 to 1955. He often spoke with great pride about his time in the Navy and considered it one of the greatest honors of his life.
In 1956, John joined the Merced City Fire Department, where he dedicated 33 years of service to protecting his community. He retired in 1989 as Captain John Sherar. He was immensely proud of his career as a firefighter and treasured the lifelong friendships he made along the way. His commitment to serving others was evident throughout his life. In addition to his firefighting career, John also worked as a surveyor for the City of Merced and later for Smith Van & Storage.
John believed in taking care of both his body and his spirit. He exercised every day, remaining active and disciplined well into his later years. His daily walks and workouts reflected the same determination and perseverance that defined every area of his life.
Growing up, John cherished spending time with his siblings and cousins. His family made countless memories camping in Yosemite National Park and later enjoyed many days together at Lake Yosemite. His love for the outdoors stayed with him throughout his life.
John's faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life. Raised in church, he remained a faithful servant of the Lord throughout his lifetime. He taught Sunday school, served in church leadership, and participated on church missions committees. Beginning in 1990, John faithfully read through the Bible every year. He often said that each time he read it, God revealed something new to him.
John enjoyed watching westerns, completing crossword puzzles, talking about history, and, most of all, spending time with his family. He loved traveling, especially with Linda and their children. Together, they visited many states, enjoyed countless camping trips, explored amusement parks, traveled to Canada, visited Washington, D.C., toured historical landmarks, and frequently escaped to June Lake. One of John's favorite places was June Lake, where he and Linda treasured the peaceful beauty of God's creation and the joy of simply being together.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Sherar Sr. and Elsie Sherar; his sisters, Phyllis Robel and Pamela Fortner; and his beloved granddaughter, Hope Incardona.
John lived a life defined by faith, family, service, and love. Whether serving his country in the Navy, protecting his community as a firefighter, or caring for those around him, he gave his very best. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, humility, hard work, and unwavering devotion to God and family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his family finds comfort in knowing that his greatest journey has led him home to be with his Savior.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. His burial will take place on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.
