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Bixler, Susannah Rose, 6 days,
died March 26, 2009 at Winchester Medical Center. She was born on March
20, 2009 in Harrisonburg, VA to Benjamin and Sarah Gehman Bixler of
Harrisonburg. Surviving in addition to her parents are one brother,
Calvin Lowell Bixler; grandparents, Lee and Mary Bixler, York Springs,
PA, David and Lois Gehman, Parkesburg, PA; great grandparents, Anna
Martin, Manheim PA, and John and Esther Wolgemuth, Lancaster PA. A
Service was March 29, 2009, at Zion Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, VA
Conducted by Pastor Clyde Kratz.
Source: Obituary files of
McMullen Funeral Home, Inc., Harrisonburg, VA
Submitted by: Leon Hertzler
Blosser, Virgil Lamar
October 19, 1922-July 13, 2009
Virgil Lamar Blosser was born
on October 19, 1922 to Russell and Pearl Bolinger) Blosser on their
farm near Wakarusa, IN. Virgil was the oldest of three hildren
and was later joined by his brother Raymond and his sister
Harriet. His father Russell was a farmer, who raised oats, wheat
and corn on 160 acres using horses to do the plowing, plus chickens,
hogs and dairy cattle. His mother Pearl was a housewife.
Virgil and his brother and sister learned to work hard, as everyone was
needed to help with the work.
Virgil attended Morningstar School in Harrison Township in Elkhart
County and Holdeman Mennonite Church. He was active in Sunday
school, accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized
on February 3, 1935 at age 13. He left school before graduating
to help his Dad with the farm work.
During World War II, Virgil and his brother were initially deferred
from service because they helped their Dad with farming. However,
some people complained to the Draft Board. The Draft Board ruled
that one of the Blosser boys had to go serve as Conscientious objectors
in Civilian Public Service and Virgil was chosen to go.
Virgil left Goshen for Hill City, South Dakota by train where he spent
six months building an earthen dam to provide water for Rapid City, SD
and irrigation for farmers. Next he was shipped to Cleveland,
Ohio where he worked at a mental hospital for 9 months. From
there he was sent to Powellsville, Maryland, where he spent 18 months
helping to clear swamp land which was to be used for farming.
Following the war, Virgil returned home to help his Dad with
farming. He also attended "Literary" meetings for area Mennonite
youth, where he met Lois Rheinheimer. He had to work up the
courage to ask her out, but she said yes. They fell in love and
were married on November 6, 1948 at Lois' home church, Middlebury
Mennonite Church, Middlebury, IN.
Virgil and Lois bought a farm on the corner of County Road 30 and CR
11, where they raised oats, corn, wheat and soybeans and started their
family. They were blessed with two sons, Glenn who was born in
May 1951 and Sheldon, born in January 1954. Living so close to
Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, they decided to join there. They
transferred their memberships from their home churches on February 28,
1954.
In addition to farming, Virgil worked at Traveler Yellowstone Coach for
six years. After that, he helped Franklin Newcomer get Fan Coach
started and spent six years there.
In 1960, he started Blosser Egg Farm. He bought 17,000 laying
hens and started an egg route, delivering eggs to Greencroft when it
first opened and Peddler's Village for 16 years; with 37 years of local
delivery in total. Virgil and Lois worked from dawn to dusk on
the farm and expected hard work from their sons as well. However,
Virgil and Lois always took their sons on a two week vacation, just
before school started and visited many of the national parks. In
his leisure time at home, Virgil enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.
In his early retirement years, Virgil and Lois did extensive traveling
and volunteering.
A very significant trip was to Europe in 1980 to visit Holland,
Switzerland, and Germany, the home of their ancestors. In his
later years, he and Lois spent many weekends camping at Twin Mills
Campground. Virgil also liked to watch the news, listen to
the police scanner, shop for bargains, eat out, and play Bingo.
He read his Bible faithfully and studied his Sunday school lesson,
anticipating weekly worship and Sunday school with his church family.
Two years ago, Virgil moved off the farm and into Evergreen Place at
Greencroft. When he had to give up driving, he continued to get
about by golf cart and the Greencroft bus. At Evergreen, they
lovingly called him "trouble" because he loved to tease the staff and
other residents. He remained active and continued faithfully
attending worship at Yellow Creek until just a few months ago.
After several months in the hospital and rehab, Virgil died of
congestive heart failure on July 13, 2009, at 4:20 pm at Elkhart
General Hospital. He went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving
sons, Glenn, Sheldon and Bea, sister-in-law Esther Hoover, and niece
Rosalie Tope.
Virgil was preceded in death by his wife Lois on December 30, 2003, his
parents and his brother Raymond.
He is survived by his sister Harriet, Mrs. Bob Bontrager of
Shipshewana, his two sons, Glenn and his wife Denise Blosser of
Niagara, Wisconsin, and Sheldon and Bea Blosser, who live on the home
farm.
He is also survived by five grandchildren, and eight great
grandchildren.
Virgil was also blessed with many brothers and sisters-in-law and
nieces and nephews.
Praise be to God for his faithfulness to Virgil through every season of
his life and for Virgil's earnest desire to follow Jesus in his daily
life.
Submitted by: Katie Cunningham
Yellow Creek
Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN
Bontrager, Anna Yoder, 83, of Sarasota, FL formerly of
Shipshewana, IN. died May 2, 2009 at Sunnyside Village Sarasota, FL.
She was born August 20, 1925 in LaGrange County, IN, to Milo and Polly
(Bontrager) Yoder. On September 6, 1945 in LaGrange County she
married Edwin J. Bontrager, he survives.
She was a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church, Sarasota, Fl. and an
associate member of the Forks Mennonite Church, Middlebury, IN.
Survivied by her husband and three sons, Thomas (Julie) Bontrager of
Carmel, IN, Mervin (Kathy) Bontrager of Middlebury, IN., J. Mark
(Phyllis) Bontrager of Shipshewana, IN.; four daughters, Polly Anna
Bontrager of LaGrange, IN, Esther (David) Wenger of Shipshewana, IN.,
Elizabeth (Alvin) Schneider of McGaheysville, VA, Kathy (Jack) Yoder of
Angola, IN; 13 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren, a brother, Samuel
(Frieda) Yoder of Nashwauk, MN; a sister, Edna Mae (Henry) Yoder of
Goshen, IN.
She was preceded in death by parents and 3 brothers, Joe, Ervin and
Reuben Yoder, 5 sisters, infants, Fanny, Susan, Barbara and Katie Yoder
and Lizzie Bontrager.
Funeral service was May 8, 2009 at Forks Mennonite Church Middlebury,
IN. conducted by Rev. Adin Miller. Burial was in Bontrager Cemetery,
Middlebury, IN
Source: Obit files of
Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, IN
Submitted by: Leon Hertzler, 9/01/2009
Bontrager, Caroline Jennifer was stillborn on August 27, 2009 at
the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She was the daughter of
Derek and Nici (Beachy) Bontrager.
She is survived by her parents, grandparents, Gene and Judy Bontrager,
Roy and Janet Beachy all of Kalona, IA and great grandmothers, Evelyn
Bell of Mt. Plesant, IA, Nina Bontrager Yoder and Bernince Miller of
Kalona, IA.
She was preceded in death by great grandparents, Willie and Helen
Beachy, Pearl Septer, Wayne Miller and Vernon Bontrager.
Memorial services was "Private" on August 29, 2009 at the Peterseim
Funeral Home Kalona, IA with Pastor Jay Miiller presiding. [Pastor
Miller is at East union Mennonite Church, Kalona, IA]
Obit files of Peterseim Funeral
home, Kalona, IA
Submitted by: Leon Hertzler
Bontrager, Edward
Oct. 27, 1935-Dec. 31, 2009
CUMBERLAND FURNACE, Tenn. - Edward Bontrager, 74, died Thursday, Dec. 31, at NHC.
He is survived by his father, Ira J. Bontrager, LaGrange, Ind.; two sons, Phillip Bontrager, Charlotte, Tenn., and Paul Bontrager, Williamsburg, Va.; four daughters, Sovilla Ashton, Jeffersonville, Ind., Rebecca Langley, Cumberland Furnace, Kay Ann Vaughn, Charlestown, Ind., and Meda Gary, Jeffersonville, Ind.; a brother, Gerald Bontrager, Elkhart, Ind.; a sister, Rosanna Tetzloff, LaGrange, Ind.; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Bontrager, and his mother, Martha Petersheim Bontrager.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and also on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service at the chapel of Spann Funeral Home, with Bro. Thomas Byler officiating.
Interment will be in Plainview Cemetery.
The Goshen News, Goshen, IN
January 5, 2010
Submitted by: Thelma Hoover Martin
Bontrager, Josephine M. Yoder
CUMBERLAND FURNACE, Tenn.- Josephine M. Bontrager, 73, died Wednesday [March 11, 2009] at her home.
Visitation will be today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spann Funeral Home, Dickson, Tenn., where the funeral will take place at 2 p.m.
Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery, Slayden, Tenn.
She was married to Edward Bontrager, who survives, with two sons, Phillip Bontrager, Charlotte, Tenn., and Paul Bontrager, Williamsburg, Va.; and four daughters, Sovilla Ashton, Jeffersonville, Ind., Rebecca Langley, Cumberland Furnace, Tenn., Kay Vaughn, Charlestown, Ind., and Meda Gary, Jeffersonville, Ind.; three brothers, Amzi Yoder, Albuquerque, N.M., Chris Yoder, Tampa, Fla., and Milo Yoder, Chicago, Ill.; five sisters, Leah Strouse, Soudertown, Pa., Martha Miller, Partridge, Kan., Rosa Shetler, Millersburg, Ind., Betty Kendall, Lakeview Ind., and her twin sister, Anna Mast, Linn Grove, Ind.; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Milo and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yoder.
Memorials may be made to the Nashville Rescue Mission.
Goshen News, Goshen, IN
March 13, 2009
Submitted by: Thelma Hoover Martin
Bontrager, Mahlon, 78, of Bradenton, FL, died January 30,2009.
He was born to John I. and Barbara Bontrager. Survived by his loving
companion of 32 years, Sue Farence, sisters Edna (Detwiler) Coblentz,
Ida Herschberger, and Lydia Mae Kauffman. A brother, Lee Bontrager.
Preceded in death by his parents,four brothers, Perry, Harley, Harry,
Mel; four sisters, Katie Ann, Laura, Anna, and Rosa.
A memorial service was March 29, 2009 at First Mennonite Church,
Middlebury, IN.
Source: obituary files of
Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, IN
Submitted by: Leon Hertzler
Bontrager, Merlin "Merle" Lee, Sr., 77, of Sarasota, FL died
July 8, 2009 at the same place suddenly in his sleep. He was born
September 23, 1931 at Yoder, KS to Levi and Elva (Miller)
Brontrager. On March 13, 1955 in Hartville, OH he was married to
Mary Kurtz, who survives.
Surviving are three daughters, Glenda (Bert) Yoder of Hartville, OH;
Charlene
(Pat) Pillot; & LuAnn (Mike) Mayer; and one son, Merlin (Daphne)
Bontrager, Jr. all of Sarasota, FL, seven grandchildren, two
great-grandchildren, three brothers, Harley, Ray, and Alvin, all of
Sarasota, and two sisters, Mae Plank of
Sarasota and Violetta Beiler of Belhaven, NC.
They moved to Sarasota on Nov. 1, 1976, where he worked in lawn
maintenance.
He and his wife, Mary were married 54 years.
Memorial services were held at Shore Mennonite Church,
Sarasota, FL with burial in Sunny Side Cemetery, Sarasota, FL.
Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin
Bontreger, Andrew F.
Andrew F. Bontreger, 85, of
Arcola passed away at 12:05 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2009, at his
residence.
Funeral services were held this morning (Wednesday) at the Otto Center
in rural Arthur with Bishop David Otto officiating. Burial was in Otto
Cemetery, rural Arthur. Visitation was anytime after 10 a.m. on Tuesday
at the Otto Center. Edwards Funeral Home assisted the family with
funeral arrangements.
Mr. Bontreger was born August 9, 1923, in Douglas County. He was a son
of Fred and Lydia (Miller) Bontreger. He married Minerva Yutzy on
August 31, 1944, in Douglas County. They lived in matrimony for 64
years. She survives.
Also surviving are a son, Toby Bontreger of Arthur; seven daughters,
Verna Otto and husband Lewis of Arthur, Rosie Bontrager and husband
Howard of Goshen, Indiana, Lucy Chupp and husband Olen of Arthur, Mary
Whitley of Atwood, Lorene Helmuth and husband Darrell of Arthur, Julie
Yoder and husband Joseph of Arcola, and Rose Anna Bontreger of Arthur;
a brother, Clarence Bontreger of Arthur; a sister, Mary Ann Welsh of
Arthur; 24 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Willis Bontreger; a
daughter, Dorothy Mast; a son-in-law, Lynn Mast; three grandchildren,
Tony Bontreger, Inez Bontrager, and Nichole Whitley; six brothers,
Joseph, Eli, Jonas, Alvin, Jake, and Mose Bontreger; and two sisters,
Martha Joyce and Tillie Borntreger.
Mr. Bontreger was a member of the old order Amish. He was a farmer all
his life and had a real passion for a good horse. He especially enjoyed
a good laugh while sharing a fun memory.
Arthur Graphic-Clarion, Arthur,
IL
March 18, 2009
Submitted by: Liz Kauffman, Arcola, IL
Transcribed by: Thelma Hoover Martin