GOSHEN — Nettie and Vernon Bontrager were both raised Amish, Nettie just east of Goshen and Vernon near Shipshewana. They met through church youth group activities and were married 69 years ago.
Nettie just celebrated her 90th birthday last Tuesday. Vernon was 90 in November.
The couple joined the Mennonite Church and still attend Rose Lawn Mennonite Church.
The Bontragers raised a family of four sons and four daughters and lived most of their lives in Middlebury. Vernon went to work for Star Tank and Boat Co. (predecessor to Starcraft Boat Co.) in 1950. He later worked at a feed mill in Clinton Center and later for Pyrofax Gas, which merged with Petrolane, he explained. He also had a 12,000 laying hen operation for several years. Vernon retired in 1987.
The family includes Ilene (Alvin) Miller, Florida; Leonard (Judy) Bontrager, Rochester; Clifford (Julie) Bontrager, Pangburn, Ark.; Ruby (Richard) Beachy, Champaign, Ill.; Glendon (Patricia) Bontrager, Howe, (Glendon died last October); Phyllis Bontrager, New Paris; Myron (Dana) Bontrager, Goshen; and Arloa (Rohrer) Bomberger, Goshen.
They also have 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
The couple served two stints and a total of four years volunteering at a church camp in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky, through the Conservative Mennonite Missions Board.
“They were interesting times in the 1980s,” Vernon said.
“In our retirement, we have enjoyed traveling,” he said. The couple visited their son, Myron, in Ecuador, went to Europe in 1969 and enjoyed bus trips across the United States and Canada.
“We feel our long-distance travel days are over,” he added.
Vernon has helped grade the Bible lesson tests for Gospel Echos for 22 years. He said he also enjoys reading, working on puzzles and the activities planned at their community. Nettie enjoys crocheting.
Some of the family helped Nettie celebrate her birthday last week, but the whole family will gather on Saturday, April 14.
The Bontrager family has a big reunion every two years and this summer is the time for the next one, Vernon said. While they will mark their 69th anniversary this June, he joked that they may celebrate again “if we make it to 70.”
Vernon said he has read The Goshen News since the days it was called the “Democrat,” and has subscribed through all the name changes over the years.
“The first thing we read is the obituaries, to see if we are in there,” he joked. He said The News is the only daily paper they have subscribed to.
Vernon said a granddaughter taught him how to use the computer in the library, which he uses to send e-mails and keep up with the family. “I still don’t understand Facebook,” he added.
Move to Goshen
The Bontragers moved to Waterford Crossing 15 months ago, where they have felt welcome.
“We were greeted by name the day we arrived,” Nettie said. “We love it here. This is now our home. We love the view.”
They said their children approved their decision to move to the Goshen community. Three children are nearby, Vernon said. They have made a lot of new friends, they said.
The only things he misses is having a big garden and his old workshop, Vernon said. But one of the sons has most of his tools, he adds.
“This is a good place to live,” he said. They enjoy their corner apartment with a great view of the pond and walking trail at Waterford Crossing and can watch the wildlife outside. One day they counted 170 geese out on the water, he said.
Breaking News
Related Photos
-
Vernon and Nettie Bontrager, who moved to Goshen from Middlebury 15 months ago, will celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary this summer. ROD ROWE | THE GOSHEN NEWS
Couple, both 90, married 69 years
READERS OF THE WEEK
- Breaking News
-
-
Locals bend Lt. Gov. Susan Ellspermann’s ear on overregulation
Regulations, taxes and the rebound of the recreational vehicle industry were the topics Lt. Gov. Susan Ellspermann heard were important in Elkhart County during a visit Tuesday afternoon.
-
THE DIRT ON GARDENING: Planting season arrives with color
How do you say perfection?
-
Stotts family has been turning heads along Ind. 119 for 33 years
The massive garden along Ind. 119 southwest of Goshen is easy to spot and has attracted many visitors in its nearly 33-year history.
-
Goshen firefighter promoted
Shane McKerchie recently completed his probationary year at the Goshen Fire Department.
-
TECH TALK: Remarketing to website visitors has advantages
Generating sales and leads for your business on the web is powerful. The web allows anyone, anywhere to potentially discover and buy from your firm.
-
No major progress for liquor legislation
INDIANAPOLIS — When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
Man to be airlifted from single-vehicle crash on C.R. 48
Elkhart County police and township firefighters are at the scene of a crash on C.R. 48 near Ind. 13. The driver of a truck is being extricated and a helicopter is waiting at the scene to transport him.
-
NWMS leaders receive music honors
WAKARUSA — For NorthWood Middle School’s departing principal, George Roelandts, his career in education is approaching a coda.
-
GMS science teacher combines love of Elkhart River, music for festival
GOSHEN – Two of Jake Miller’s passions converged as naturally as the Elkhart River does with the St. Joseph.
-
City closer to acquiring former Goshen Inn property
Elkhart County Commissioners Monday took the next step in a process that could result in Goshen officials taking possession of the old Holiday Inn property on Goshen’s south side. The move follows a similar approval by the Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety May 6.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
