Perry Bontrager

Celebrating the Life Of Perry M. Bontrager February 5, 1925 a�" August 25, 2008 83 Years, 6 Months, 20 Days Visitation Wednesday, August 27 9AM - 8PM family present, 1-4 and 6-8PM At Peterseim Funeral Home, Kalona Celebration of Life Memorial Service Thursday, August 28, 2008 11:00AM Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church Rural Kalona, Iowa Officiating Pastor Elmer Miller Musicians a�" Granddaughters Rhonda Miller Rebecca Shenk Johanna Bontrager Allyce Bender Malerie Plank Kylie Bontrager Casket Bearers a�" Grandsons Ben Miller Brad Miller Mike Hershberger Jason Hershberger Aaron Bontrager Justin Plank Jordan Bontrager Tayler Bontrager Drew Bontrager Mike Bontrager Jeffrey Bontrager Interment East Union Cemetery Rural Kalona, Iowa Perry M. Bontrager was born to Menno JS and Fannie (Yoder) Bontrager in Buchanan County, Iowa where he attended a rural elementary school. The family later moved to the Kalona area where he spent the remainder of his years. In 1944 Perry served in the Civilian Public Service in Terry, Montana and later traveled to Greece on a cattle ship. On January 26, 1947 Perry married Mabel Miller and to this union six children were born. He farmed in the Frytown area. He also worked as a finish carpenter for his brother-in-law, Earl Yoder for 23 years. He then joined into a partnership with E & G Construction, specializing in trim carpentry, for 17 years. Perry accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized in his youth in the Old Order Amish Church. After his marriage he transferred his membership to Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church where he has been a faithful member for over 60 years. He had many interests, including attending many of his children and grandchildren's athletic activities, fishing in Tulsa as well as rural farm ponds, collecting "drummer boy" quarters, traveling to visit family members and relatives, volunteering at Crowded Closet for many years and singing in a men's quartet in his earlier years. He also enjoyed socializing as an active member of the Kalona Coffee Club. Perry leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Mabel, his children, Miriam (Dave) Miller, Riverside, Ruth (Paul) Hershberger, Kalona, Dan (Gloria) Bontrager, Iowa City, Lois (Marc) Plank, Wellman, Dave (Mary) Bontrager, Iowa City, and Steve (Peggy) Bontrager, Tulsa , OK, sisters, Lovina Miller and Suvilla (Joseph) Hershberger, all of Kalona, and Edna Yoder and Esther Tate, both of Iowa City and brother, Joe (Betty) Bontrager, Fresno, CA 17 grandchildren, listed on inside of folder, 11 great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding Perry in death were his parents, brothers, Amos and Clarence, two brothers-in-law, Ruben M Miller and Earl M. Yoder, two nephews, Phillip Hershberger and Marvin Miller and great grandsons, Boston and Kai Hershberger. A memorial fund has been established in lieu of flowers for the Crooked Creek Christian Camp.