WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Cornelius J. “Neal” Bontrager, 72, of 68884 Fairview Drive, White Pigeon, died Tuesday, May 25, 2010, while fishing on Lake Wahbememe.
He was born Oct. 26, 1937, in Centreville, a son of John and Elizabeth (Mullett) Bontrager. He had been a resident of the White Pigeon area since 1991, coming from Edwardsburg.
On July 29, 1973, he married Betty M. (McClain) Oswalt in Elkhart, Ind.
He was employed at Paramount Furniture in Sturgis and the recreational vehicle industry as a cabinet maker.
He was a member of United Church of God in Elkhart.
He was a member of the Sauganash Golf Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and mushroom hunting in northern Michigan.
Surviving are his wife, Betty Bontrager of White Pigeon; three daughters, Laurie (Randy) Duke, Vickie Chevalier and Carrie Lattimer, all of Jackson, Mo.; four sons, Thomas (June) Oswalt of Three Rivers, Rick (Marsha) Oswalt of Longview, Texas, and Rob and Todd Oswalt of Elkhart; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Oswalt of Constantine; a sister, Fannie Yoder of Centreville; five brothers, Henry (Beverly) Bontrager of Sturgis, John Bontrager, Ezra (Marie) Bontrager and Martin Bontrager, all of Centreville, and Enos Bontrager of Burr Oak; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Timothy Oswalt; a sister, Miriam; and five brothers, Benedict, Alvin, William, Levi and Manass.
Visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. and noon-1 p.m. Friday at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Pastor Shawn Cortelyou of United Church of God in Elkhart officiating.
Burial will follow in White Pigeon Township Cemetery.
