Frederick M. 'Fred' Bontrager Jr.

GOSHEN – Frederick M. “Fred” Bontrager Jr., 92, Syracuse, passed away at 9:24 p.m. March 15, 2016, at Warsaw Meadows Care Center. He was born March 11, 1924, in Goshen, to Frederick M. Sr. and Irene Bontrager. On July 10, 1946, in Valparaiso, he married Vivian Corrine Clifton, who preceded him in death Jan. 2, 2016. He attended Goshen High School and was a World War II Army veteran. He moved to the Syracuse area in 1973 from Goshen, where he had lived most of his life except for a brief time in Albuquerque, N.M. He formerly owned and operated BTR Manufacturing, Goshen, and formerly worked at Mogul Rubber Company, Goshen; Oakwood, Syracuse, for 10 years; and was a caretaker for property on Lake Wawasee for 18 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 223 and VFW, both in Syracuse; Moose Lodge, Goshen; and formerly attended the Baptist Church in Goshen. Surviving are three sons: Craig Bontrager, and Doug Bontrager, both of Syracuse, and Bruce (and spouse Dee) Bontrager, Millersburg; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Bennett; and three brothers: Hubert, Ralph and Don Bontrager. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Elkhart Prairie Cemetery, Goshen, with Pastor Brad Cox of the Wawasee Lakeside Chapel officiating. Military graveside rites will be performed by the United States Army funeral detail and American Legion Post 223. ***** Memorials to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, P.O. Box 4204, South Bend, IN 46634. To send condolences, visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com