Eugene A. “Gene” Bontrager, 72, of Arlington, KS, died at Hospice House, Hutchinson, on August 25, 2026. He was born on March 18, 1954, in Hutchinson, to Morris C. and Rachel C. (Yoder) Bontrager.

Gene graduated from Central Christian High School in 1972. Following graduation, he began working at Anderson Alignment, where he was employed for 16 years. Gene spent his remaining years farming for Dillon Farms.

On December 13, 1974, he married Jody L. Redd, in Yoder.

Those waiting to welcome Gene home include daughter Jaime Bontrager, parents Morris and Rachel Bontrager, brother Galen Bontrager, sister Jane Balzer, father-in-law Floyd Redd, and great-niece Nora Kauffman.

Gene’s greatest legacy is the family he leaves behind: his wife of almost 52 years, Jody Bontrager, son Troy Bontrager, daughter Andrea Fulmer (Kevin), sisters ChloAnn Helmuth (Merlyn) and Ellie Franz (Dale), brother Jay Bontrager (Kim), brother-in-law Loren Balzer, mother-in-law Carol Redd, grandchildren Tate Bontrager, Charlotte Fulmer, Francis Fulmer, and Jaden Whitaker, three great-grandchildren, and many special in-laws.

Gene loved to farm and was given the opportunity to live out that dream thanks to his lifelong friend, Steve Dillon.

Celebration of life service will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the 1861 Club, 212 Cottonwood Ave., Hutchinson (located on the Kansas State Fairgrounds). Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. A celebration of life service will be announced in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.