Floyd Bontrager

Floyd L. Bontrager, age 92, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and formerly of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025. He was born on October 10, 1933, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to the late Henry and Clara (Schrock) Bontrager. Floyd grew up in Goshen, Indiana, and graduated from Goshen High School. After graduation, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served honorably from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War era aboard the USS Tarawa (CV-40). He was deeply patriotic and extremely proud of his service, often wearing clothing and hats celebrating the USS Tarawa and the Navy, and attending Navy reunions for many years. Following his military service, Floyd attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he earned his associate degree in engineering.

Floyd’s home was always filled with laughter, love, and people. Family, friends, and neighbors knew they could count on him for help, guidance, or simply a warm welcome. If you were a friend or family member of Floyd’s, you knew it. He was always ready with a hug, a smile, and a good joke, and you never left his company without a laugh or a story to share.

Floyd was a devoted sports fan who lived and breathed Notre Dame athletics. He held season tickets for football and women’s basketball, regularly attended many other ND sporting events, and his home was filled with Fighting Irish memorabilia. He also enjoyed cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers. Beyond sports, Floyd had many interests that reflected his active and social spirit. He loved to play golf, throw darts, pitch horseshoes, and play cards with family and friends. He enjoyed gardening and tending to his plants and flowers, and he had a deep love of travel, exploring much of the United States, Mexico, and far beyond during his Navy service.

Of special importance to Floyd were his faith and relationships. A longtime member of Gospel Center Church and other congregations over the years, Floyd’s faith guided his life. He was a man of God who lived out his beliefs through his kindness, generosity, and care for others.

Floyd is survived by his children, Jeanine Bontrager, Stuart (Mary) Bontrager, and Valerie (Jon) Peterson. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Bernadette (Keith Jacko) Murphy, Brendan Murphy, Brittany (Kyle Smith) Peterson, Michael (Hayley) Peterson, and Matthew Peterson; as well as three great-grandchildren: Hayven, McKinley, and Brecklyn. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Susan, Albert, Harvey, Elizabeth, Rudy, Jonas, Barbara, and Esther.

A visitation will be held for one hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Gospel Center Church 930 S 30th St, South Bend, IN 46615. Interment with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka. Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with his care.

Floyd will be remembered for his kind and outgoing nature, his deep love of family and friends, his pride in his service to our country, and his unwavering faith. He lived his life with warmth, humor, and a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him.

The Bontrager family would like to extend a special note of gratitude to Alton Memory Care of St. Paul, Minnesota, for the care and concern given to Floyd while he was in their care. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Floyd’s life, or leave a message of comfort for his family, please visit the Guestbook tab above.

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