Willis Bontrager

WILLIS R. BONTRAGER, 60, of Sullivan, IL passed away at 4:26 P.M. on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, IL.

Visitation was from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 27, 2010 and on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at the Otto Center in Arthur, IL. A funeral service was held at 9:30 A.M. on Monday, March 29, 2010 at the Otto Center in Arthur, IL. Rev. Howard Kuhns officiated. Burial was in the Pleasant View Church Cemetery in Arcola, IL. The Edwards Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

He is survived by his wife Esther Bontrager of Sullivan, IL; five children, Melody Schrock and her husband Clifford of Harrisonville, PA, Matthew Bontrager and his wife Lacry of Suceava, Romania, Amber Yoder and her husband Melvin of Harrison, AR, Aaron Bontrager and Andrew Bontrager both at home; seven grandchildren, Hannah, Alex, Alisa and Simona Bontrager, Serena and Hadassah Schrock and Kayla Yoder; his parents, Raymond and Ella Bontrager of Sullivan, IL; two brothers, Ernest Bontrager of Arthur, IL and Kenneth Bontrager and his wife Goldie of Sullivan, IL and three sisters, Marie Kuhns and her husband Dan of Arthur, IL, Ruth Kuhns and her husband Gary of Tuscola and Judy Herschberger and her husband Darrell of Tuscola, IL

Willis was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Willis was born on January 24, 1950 in Tuscola, IL, a son of Raymond C. and Ella A. (Miller) Bontrager.

Willis committed his life to Christ as a young man. That commitment became the foundation upon which he built and the theme of his life and ministry. Willis graduated from Arthur High School in 1968. His life education also included many life experiences and grew through asking many questions.

In 1969, he joined the Sunnyside Service Unit in Sarasota, FL, where he met Esther Byler. They were married on June 12, 1971 in Dover, Delaware. They established their home in Sullivan, IL. As the years passed, God blessed them with five children whom he treasured.

He worked with his father and brother on the farm, eventually taking over the family farm. His testimony among the farming community was appreciated by many. He continued to enjoy growing corn, soybeans, and hay and processing compost until his passing.

He was ordained as a minister of the Pleasant View Church in Arcola on October 25, 1981. He loved the Lord and His church and was active in the ministry of the Gospel until the Lord called him home. He also served on the Missions Interest Committee serving the larger Beachy community.

As his children entered school, Willis became actively involved as well. He served on the board of Arthur Mennonite School and later was instrumental in the opening of Pleasant View School. There he served as principal for many years. He loved his students and had no greater joy than to know that “his children” walked in truth.

In 1996, Willis laid aside his farming, church, and school responsibilities to take his family to Romania. They served there for three years with the Teaching Ministries Program of Christian Aid Ministries. While there, Willis had his first heart attack that weakened his heart.

In 2009, Willis had triple-bypass surgery and was actively engaged with heart rehab. On March 25, 2010, Willis was at home sitting at the dining room table. The telephone rang and Willis said, “Hello.” He then experienced a heart attack and answered another call—from Home!

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Co. 15:58). Willis taught us this verse by his example.

Memorials were made to Special Needs in Romania: in care of Pleasant View Church.