Ray Edwin Bontrager, 86, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023, in Haven, Kansas. Ray was born October 7, 1936, to Jerry and Edna Bontrager in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Ray attended Haven High School and Hesston Academy graduating in 1954, and then attended Hesston College. He was married to Carol Martin at her home near Wellman, Iowa in 1958. Ray began his married life in I-W Service at Evanston Hospital, Evanston, Illinois. He then began his lifetime career as a farmer in Iowa and in 1967 returned to Yoder, Kansas, to farm his family homestead. He farmed and raised livestock for 38 years. He received numerous farming awards. He owned and operated R & C Feed Service during the 1970’s. He served terms on the Yoder Township Board, Farmer’s State Bank Board and the Equus Beds Aquifer Board. During these years, he was a member of the South Hutchinson Mennonite Church.
In retirement, Ray drove school bus for the Haven School District for ten years so that he could transport his grandchildren to school. His hobbies include collecting antiques, tools and restoring old toys. He could fix anything. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother Glen Marlin.
Ray is survived by: his wife; three children, Lucinda (Bob) Schooks, Ellenton, FL, Kristin Morris, South Hutchinson, KS, and Robert (Leslie) Bontrager, Nickerson, KS; grandchildren, Jesse (Annika) Morris, Winfield, KS, Emilee (Julie) Wilke, Winfield, KS, Tyler (Shanley) Morris, Wichita, KS, Mike Morris, South Hutchinson, KS, and Hannah (Richard) Hawthorne, Great Bend, KS; great-grandchildren, Franklin Morris, Kate Wilke, Ruby Wilke, Bennett Morris, Lillian Morris, Sadie Hawthorne, Ella Hawthorne and Ryker Hawthorne; three sisters, Grace Hershberger, Goshen, Indiana, Lola Faye Erb Yoder, Kalona, Iowa and Donna Mae Martin, Hesston, Kansas.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Memorial gifts may be made to The All Stars of Hutchinson Special Olympics team in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.