Melvin J. Bontrager, Jr.

Melvin J. Bontrager, Jr., 74, a devoted husband, father, and respected member of the Goshen community, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025 at Goshen Hospital.

Born on February 12, 1951, in Goshen, Melvin was the son of the late Melvin J. Bontrager and Mary Ann (Stump) Baer.

He married Lynnette "Lynnie" Cobbs in April 9, 1997, in a mountain chapel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Lynnie survives along with his daughter, Deana M. (Craig) Taylor; stepdaughter, Lisa R. (Sharath) Narayan; five grandchildren; Ryan Taylor, Dylan Taylor, Joseph Narayan, Maya Narayan, Joshua Narayan; two great-grandchildren, Adalyn Taylor and Sawyer Taylor; two sisters, Elna (Michael) Hussey and Mary Ann (Mark) Ellsworth; four brothers, Mahlon (Sandra) Bontrager, Ronald (Cindy) Bontrager, Carl “Richard” (Laura) Bontrager and Arthur (Ronda) Baer, Jr.; and a sister-in-law, Cheri Bontrager.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Roger Bontrager; and step-son Michael Grove.

Mel was a lifetime resident of Goshen and worked in many venues. He was a drafter, a milk hauler, Real Estate Broker; he owned his business of Quality Appraisal, and he worked at the Elkhart County Assessor's Office. In his most recent years, he drove for a contracting business.

He was a member of Maplecrest Golf Club for many years and he had made a golf green in his backyard. His hobby was woodworking, and he spent many hours teaching golf to his grandchildren.

He was a Goshen School Bus Driver for 20 years. His kids on the bus were an extension of his family. He was on the board of the Building Trades at Goshen High School for many years.

He always said that the most important job of his life was helping raise and guide his grandkids.

To a lot of the local kids and residents, he was known as "COACH MEL". He coached baseball, basketball, and golf, teaching and coaching both the sport and life lessons that would help his kids lead good lives.

He read his bible two, three, or more times a day and worked at being a Godly man, grandpa and husband. Although small in stature, to everyone he touched, he was a giant soul.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, July 3 from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to Riley Children’s Hospital.