Ervin Bontrager

Ervin S. Bontrager, 83, passed away Wednesday morning, December 24, 4:45 AM, at Harmony Senior Living in Elkhart, Indiana. He was born October 5, 1942, in Goshen, Indiana, to Earl V. and Marietta (Kilmer) Bontrager. He graduated from New Paris High School in 1960. He married Carol Dawn (Bossard) Bontrager on February 14, 1983. She passed away May 15, 2011. They had 2 sons Pete and Tom, and 2 grandsons, Hans and Niklas. He and Carol enjoyed traveling to many interesting places, particularly the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. Ervin retired from Lockheed-Martin after working there 10 years.

Ervin enjoyed hiking out west with his friend Bryce Schrock, and cousins Dean Welty and Steve Ramer. He enjoyed playing Acquire with his great nephew Philip and, in his last months while living at Harmony, he enjoyed going out on drives and getting jamocha shakes. He loved singing, playing and listening to bluegrass music, particularly Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. He played mandolin, guitar and banjo. He also loved visits from family and friends.

He is survived by his sons Pete, Pueblo, Colorado; Tom, Nashville, Tennessee; 2 grandsons, 2 sisters, Mary (Don) Rhoadarmer, Bradenton, Florida; Carolyn (Leroy) Martin, Wakarusa, Indiana; a brother Dennis (Betty) Bontrager, Scottsburg, Indiana; and a brother-in-law Murray (Doris) Byer, North Bay, Ontario, Canada, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a sister Lois, and a brother Larry.

There will be visitation at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home in Goshen, Indiana, 12:00-2:00 Friday afternoon January 2nd followed immediately by service at 2:00. Services will be conducted by Pastor Terrill Yoder from Salem Mennonite Church. Burial will be in Yellow Creek Cemetery. Ervin's wishes were that memorial contributions be given to the Union Center Christian School Endowment Fund, Nappanee, Indiana.