Grace Ione Bontrager

Grace Ione Bontrager, age 93 of Fairview, Michigan, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, with her family by her side..
Grace was born on August 7, 1922 in Markham, Ontario, Canada, to Jacob and Martha (Stauffer) Shank. She met the love of her life, Delbert L. Bontrager at the Ontario Mennonite Bible School of Kitchener, Ontario in 1940. They were married in Markham on November 12, 1941. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in Nov. 2011, just before Delbert’s death on December 16, 2011.Two weeks after they were married, Delbert was called to Civilian Public Service in Pennsylvania. Grace lived with her in-laws, Otis and Nora Bontrager, during the 4 years of her husband’s service. Grace was a stay-at-home mom; putting in a huge garden, and canning 100’s of quarts of fruits and vegetables. She spent a lot of time involved with her children’s school activities. She was a member of the Fairview Mennonite Church, and was active for many years in the Fairview Mennonite Sewing Circle. Grace was a very accomplished quilter.
Grace is survived by her children: Donnette Bontrager of Goshen, IN; Nancy (Ron) Bradley of Prescott, MI; Martha (Mike) Brudney of LaGrange, IN; Lisa (Phil) Larrison of Fairview, MI; Deb (Roger) Gaynor of Cheboygan, MI; Brian (Judy) Bontrager of Williamsburg, MI; and Kevin (Shelly) Bontrager of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and son-in-law Mike McCallum of Fairview, MI; 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Grace is also survived by her sister-in-law Carol Shank of Markham, Ontario, Canada; and her brothers-in-law: Willard (Millie) Bontrager of Mancelona, MI; Warren (Ruby) Bontrager of Goshen, IN; Lloyd Strang of Kalkaska, MI; and Mahlon Gascho of Fairview, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband Delbert, her son Dale, her parents, her sister Edith Byer, and her brother Don Shank.
Visitation Friday, September 18, 2015 from 4-8 PM at the Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, Michigan. Private interment will take place prior to the Funeral Services. Services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 11 AM at the Fairview Mennonite Church with Pastor Mike Brudney officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Fairview Mennonite Church or to Hospice of Helping Hands.
Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, Michigan.