Bontrager.-Sylvia Bontrager was born April 12, 1886, at Sturgis, Mich.; died March 16, 1918, at Goshen, Ind., after an illness of nearly a year. Her father and one brother preceded her. The immediate members of the family surviving her are her mother, Elizabeth Bontrager, Goshen; two sisters (Mrs. S. E. Hooley and Mrs. L. B. Greenwalt), four brothers (Joseph, Rollin, Simon, and Neri).
She early chose Music as a life work and began teaching at the age of seventeen. She entered Goshen College during the winter of 1905-6. She began her regular course in music in 1907. During the later part of the course she was assistant in the music department and graduated from the Course in June, 1911. She was elected a member of the Faculty of Goshen College that same year where she taught for three consecutive sessions. Upon a leave of absence she entered the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass., from which she graduated in June, 1916. Her teaching was resumed at Goshen College during the following summer and continued until June, 1917, at which time her illness developed. She professed faith in Jesus Christ in 1906 and became a member of the Mennonite Church. The conscientious devotion to her church and the constant effort to promote the cause of her Master indicated the trend of this noble young life, so soon cut short. Hers were the objects of a true soul living in an active world. The underlying motives of this life were that of service and sacrifice. Herself she placed modestly into the background. Faithful endeavor served her as a vital stimulant. Her attitude toward music was, that it is a wonderful means of expression. The words from her own lips since the time when she found that the Lord would soon take her home give evidence of the quality of her mind. In speaking of the transition which was to come she said, "I felt all winter that God was wanting me because my strength went so fast, but it is all right and I hope it will not be long." With a glance at her flowers she said, "Those beautiful flowers, how I love them but just think I'll soon be where things will be more lovely than they, and am I anxious? Yes, I really believe I am anxious to go. Will the time be long?" Upon being told that it would probably not be long, she said, "I am glad, so glad." The long, patient struggle ended in the prayer of resignation and plea for relief. "O God take me, and take me quickly." Services were conducted at the home in Goshen in March 18, by I. R. Detwiler and at Howe, Ind., on March 19, by D. D. Miller. Interment at the private cemetery at the old home at Sturgis, Mich.

Bontrager.-Sylvia Bontrager was born April 12, 1886, at Sturgis, Mich.; died March 16, 1918, at Goshen, Ind., after an illness of nearly a year. Her father and one brother preceded her. The immediate members of the family surviving her are her mother, Elizabeth Bontrager, Goshen; two sisters (Mrs. S. E. Hooley and Mrs. L. B. Greenwalt), four brothers (Joseph, Rollin, Simon, and Neri).
She early chose Music as a life work and began teaching at the age of seventeen. She entered Goshen College during the winter of 1905-6. She began her regular course in music in 1907. During the later part of the course she was assistant in the music department and graduated from the Course in June, 1911. She was elected a member of the Faculty of Goshen College that same year where she taught for three consecutive sessions. Upon a leave of absence she entered the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass., from which she graduated in June, 1916. Her teaching was resumed at Goshen College during the following summer and continued until June, 1917, at which time her illness developed. She professed faith in Jesus Christ in 1906 and became a member of the Mennonite Church. The conscientious devotion to her church and the constant effort to promote the cause of her Master indicated the trend of this noble young life, so soon cut short. Hers were the objects of a true soul living in an active world. The underlying motives of this life were that of service and sacrifice. Herself she placed modestly into the background. Faithful endeavor served her as a vital stimulant. Her attitude toward music was, that it is a wonderful means of expression. The words from her own lips since the time when she found that the Lord would soon take her home give evidence of the quality of her mind. In speaking of the transition which was to come she said, "I felt all winter that God was wanting me because my strength went so fast, but it is all right and I hope it will not be long." With a glance at her flowers she said, "Those beautiful flowers, how I love them but just think I'll soon be where things will be more lovely than they, and am I anxious? Yes, I really believe I am anxious to go. Will the time be long?" Upon being told that it would probably not be long, she said, "I am glad, so glad." The long, patient struggle ended in the prayer of resignation and plea for relief. "O God take me, and take me quickly." Services were conducted at the home in Goshen in March 18, by I. R. Detwiler and at Howe, Ind., on March 19, by D. D. Miller. Interment at the private cemetery at the old home at Sturgis, Mich.