1921
Maycel
2013
Maycel Bontrager
October 13, 1921 — July 14, 2013
Cherokee-Maycel Nadine Jenlink Bontrager, 91, passed on to her heavenly home July 14, 2013. She was born to Albert and Eva VanDeusen Jenlink near Jet on October 13, 1921. Maycel attended country schools until she went to Cherokee High School where she graduated. During the War years, she worked as Deputy Court Clerk and as a legal secretary to Lloyd Hadwiger, attorney in Cherokee. Maycel married Murel Bontrager in Cherokee on May 26, 1940, and they shared seventy-two years together. Maycel was baptized by Rev. W.A. Keller in the First Christian Church in Cherokee. She was a devoted wife and dedicated mother, raising their children on the farm. She helped Murel with many aspects of farming and as his helper and bookkeeper in their meat processing business in Cherokee. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. There was always some type of dessert to satisfy her sweet tooth and make her family happy. The family lived and farmed in the communities of Perry, Guthrie and Dacoma, moving back to Cherokee in 1975 to continue farming and also operate the Bontrager Meat Processing business. Maycel served the Lord as a Sunday School teacher in every town in which they lived. She also helped with Bible schools and served on various church committees. She was a member of Christian Women’s Fellowship and helped plan the Centennial Celebration for First Christian Church in Cherokee in 2002.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Canning and husband, G.W.; sons, Steve Bontrager and wife, Tava and Stan Bontrager; four grandchildren, Shelley, Buddy, Stephani and Keli; thirteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Floy Whittet and Joan McFadin and husband, Bub; sister-in-law, Frances Bontrager; brother-in-law, A.J. Bontrager; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Murel; her brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Helen Jenlink; sister-in-law, Frances Bontrager; brothers-in-law, Billy Wayne Whittet and Arley Bontrager.
Service to celebrate her life will be held at First Christian Church in Cherokee on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Joe Woods officiating. Burial will follow at Cherokee Municipal Cemetery. Viewing will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Canning and husband, G.W.; sons, Steve Bontrager and wife, Tava and Stan Bontrager; four grandchildren, Shelley, Buddy, Stephani and Keli; thirteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Floy Whittet and Joan McFadin and husband, Bub; sister-in-law, Frances Bontrager; brother-in-law, A.J. Bontrager; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Murel; her brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Helen Jenlink; sister-in-law, Frances Bontrager; brothers-in-law, Billy Wayne Whittet and Arley Bontrager.
Service to celebrate her life will be held at First Christian Church in Cherokee on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Joe Woods officiating. Burial will follow at Cherokee Municipal Cemetery. Viewing will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home
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