Ruth Dianne (Lehman) Bontrager

Ruth D. Bontrager, aged 87 of Logan, Ohio, died peacefully July 28, 2024. She was born February 28, 1937, on a farm in Kidron, Ohio, the fifth of twelve children born to the late Sylvester A. and Martha (Bixler) Lehman, and married Dr. Roy R. Bontrager on September 14, 1963.

Ruth was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School and the Massillon City School of Nursing. Her 50+ year career in the medical field ranged from emergency room nurse at Ohio State University Hospital, to voluntary service work with the Mennonite Church in Whitesburg, KY, to managing her husband’s family practice office and coordinating medical mission trips with Roy to the Dominican Republic.

From a young age, Ruth enjoyed sacred music and singing, and was active in church choirs until her final months of life. She shared her gift of hospitality through food with family, friends, and church, organizing and executing many neighborhood cookouts and several wedding receptions over the years. Coconut cream pie, cutout cookies, homemade bread, and oven fried chicken were her specialties.

Family was very important to Ruth. She joined Roy in planning family vacations to Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and all over the U.S., forming unforgettable memories. In later years, the many trips included grandchildren as well. Ruth enjoyed attending her two grandsons’ athletic and musical events. In recent years, she found great delight playing with her three great-grandchildren, often joining them on the floor to be on their level for whatever game was at hand.

In addition to her husband of 60 years, Ruth is survived by her son, Phil (Lynette) Bontrager of Archbold, Ohio; daughter, Karen (Bob Skinner) Bontrager of Pomeroy, Ohio; grandsons, Aaron (Elise) Bontrager of Wooster, Ohio and David Bontrager of Boise, Idaho; great-grandchildren, Clara, Harlan, and Emmett Bontrager; siblings, Don (Ruth) Lehman, Jenelle (Gerald) Gould, Carol (Ed) Burkholder, Geraldine Mumaw, and Beth (Dave) Wiebe; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lehman, and brother-in-law, Dan Cartwright.

Besides her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her siblings, Florine Yoder, Doris Cartwright, and Merlin, Elton, David, and Larry Lehman.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Hocking Hills Church in Logan, Ohio with Pastor Rodney Rogers officiating. A fellowship meal will follow the service. The family offers that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hocking Hills Inspire Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, or Hocking Hills Church, P.O. Box 865, Logan, OH 43138.

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