Larry G. Bontrager

Larry G. Bontrager , 59, of Middlebury, died Saturday afternoon, November 28, 2009, in Union, Michigan. He was born in Goshen on March 30, 1950, to the late Gideon Bontrager and Verna (Chupp) Bontrager of Goshen.  He married Norma Jean Bauman on June 12, 1971 in Goshen.  She survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Natalie J. (John) Thomas of Indianapolis, and Janelle Renee (Jason) Martin of Charlotte, North Carolina; a sister, Karen (Bert) Stutzman of Goshen; and two brothers, Gene Bontrager of Goshen and James Bontrager of Winona Lake. He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Bontrager. A lifetime resident of the area, Mr. Bontrager was a realtor, broker and owner of Bontrager Hardies Realty.  He had been involved in development and management of real estate in Elkhart County for the last 31 years.  He was past president of the Elkhart County Board of Realtors and was a member of the Indiana Association of Realtors, and had served on the Governmental Affairs Finance Committee at the state level and he was instrumental in the development of the Boys and Girls club of Middlebury. He was a member of the Nappanee Missionary Church and the Goshen Rotary Club.  He was happiest when fishing, especially on the Holitna River in Alaska. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, November 30, and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, December 1, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the Nappanee Missionary Church. A 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2009, funeral service will be conducted at Nappanee Missionary Church with Rev. David Engbrecht officiating.  Burial will follow in Miller Cemetery, Goshen.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Middlebury.