Roma Jean Bontrager Obituary (1938 - 2024)

Roma Jean Bontrager age 85, of Harrisonburg, Virginia passed away at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center on Monday, January 15, 2024. Roma was born in Pigeon, Michigan on January 21, 1938, to Lawrence and Iva Swartzendruber. She attended and graduated from Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Roma married Alferd John Bontrager of Alden, New York, and together they had two sons, Dwight Lamar Bontrager and Burdette Lee Bontrager. She worked as a homemaker and enjoyed participating in the family's auction business in Batavia, New York. Family was an extremely important part of her life. She loved and enjoyed her three grandsons and great-granddaughter. Roma was also strong in her Christian faith and lived out her daily love of Christ. She enjoyed Southern Gospel music, her family and friends, nature, and gardening. Roma is survived by her son and his wife, Burdette and Carolyn Bontrager of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and three grandsons, Clayton and his wife Tessa, Brian, and Bradley Bontrager. She also had a great-granddaughter, Lorelei Bontrager. She is also survived by her siblings: Dale Swartzendruber, Dennis Swartzendruber, Karen (Swartzendruber) Beachy, Lee Swartzendruber, and Arlin Swartzendruber along with their spouses. Roma was preceded in death by her husband Alferd Bontrager, son Dwight Bontrager, parents Lawrence and Iva Swartzendruber, and a sister Rosalie Swartzendruber. Memorial services will be held at Strite Auditorium at Crestwood in VMRC in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 10:30 AM and in Alden, New York, on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 11 AM. She will be laid to rest in Alden, New York beside her husband. The memorial service can be viewed by using https://vimeo.com/904119517 Memorial donations may be made to East Gate Ministries, PO Box 1934 Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com. McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements