Bontrager, Viola (1948-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Dec 14 p. 3

Birth date: 1948

text of obituary:

Auto-Buggy Crah Takes Two Lives Near Topeka, Ind.

Goshen, Ind. — An Amishman and one of his daughters were fatally injured within a few feet of their driveway in rural Topeka, Ind. on the late evening of Dec. 6 when their horse-drawn buggy was hit by a car.

Killed instantly in the collision was Samuel J. Bontrager, 59-year old father of 13, who was dragged 180 feet under the car, Viola Bontrager, 15, died unexpectedly the next evening in the Lagrange County hospital. She suffered a skull fracture and multiple body bruises.

Also hospitalized were four other daughters who were riding in the buggy, and the driver of the car, Jesse L. Spann Jr., 45, of North Manchester, who was only slightly hurt.

Elma Bontrager, 12, at first thought to be the most seriously injured, was listed Dec. 9 as ”fair to poor” with a head injury at a Fort Wayne hospital. Her twin sister, Emma, was released after treatment for bruises.

The other Bontrager sisters hospitalized are Ruby S., 10, who suffered a broken leg; and Irene F., with minor lacerations.

Double funeral services were held Dec. 9 at the Orla Troyer home.

It was Lagrange County's second accident within a week involving a horse-dawn buggy. Enos Miller, 42, of rural Middlebury, was seriously injured whn his buggy was hit by a truck west of Shipshewana.