WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Bertha Bontrager, age 98, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, November 3, 2024, at Nu-Care Assisted Living in Sturgis.
She was born May 22, 1926, in Burr Oak, daughter of the late Joseph and Fannie (Eicher) Carpenter.
Bertha resided in Sturgis since 2007 coming from Centreville, where she lived for over 50 years.
On October 10, 1953, she married David J. Bontrager at Locust Grove Church in Burr Oak.
Bertha was a dedicated homemaker, wife, and mother. Before her marriage she worked as a nurse’s aide at Sturgis Hospital.
Bertha was the last living charter member of the Locust Grove Church and was also a member of Women’s Mission Service and enjoyed sewing, crossword and jigsaw puzzles.
She is survived by her husband of 71 years: David; three daughters: Donna (Michael) Monson of Sturgis; Carolyn (Greg) Gautsche of Coldwater, and Marilyn (Marty) Borntrager of Grove Oak, Alabama; two sons: Dennis (Rin) Bontrager of Centreville and Fred (Maggie) Bontrager of Toccoa, Georgia; 13 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; four sisters: Ann (Hezir) Araujo of Elkhart, Indiana, Edna Carpenter of Sturgis and Gertie Honig of the Netherlands; one brothers: James (Faith) Carpenter of Sturgis; sister-in-law: Lois Neuenschwander of Lititz, Pennsylvania and many nieces and nephews.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Mary Carpenter and Esther Troyer; three brothers: Joseph Carpenter, Jr., Marcus Carpenter and Robert Neuenschwander.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Julie and staff at Nu-Care Assisted Living and Three Rivers Health Hospice for their care of Bertha.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, November 7th at Locust Grove Church, 29525 Findley Rd., Burr Oak, where funeral services celebrating and honoring the life of Bertha Bontrager will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 8th. The Rev Matt Yoder will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Locust Grove Cemetery in Burr Oak.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial donations would be appreciated to Christian Aid Ministries, Haiti, sponsor a child school program, P.O. Box 360, Berlin, OH 44610.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
