Longtime LaGrange County REMC director Mark Bontrager poses in front of the substation that bears his name. He passed away on Nov. 3.

It is with heavy heart that we at LaGrange County REMC say goodbye to longtime director Mark Bontrager. He passed away on Nov. 3. Mark was a friend to all and was dedicated to the REMC and its members.

Mark began his service on the LaGrange County REMC board of directors in 1968. For 49 years, he represented members from District 4 (Clay West and Newbury townships). He served as vice president of the board for 15 of those years. In 2001, the substation located within his service area on the corner of 200 S. and 900 W. in LaGrange County was named in his honor.

As a board member, Mark attended training over the years to keep abreast of the changes in the electric industry. He was an advocate of cooperative principles and proud of his relationship to the REMC. He always said LaGrange County REMC is a great organization, the best in the state of Indiana, and one of the best in the nation!

Mark was a graduate of Shipshewana High School and lived in the area all of his life. He and his wife of 64 years, Clara, owned and operated a 143-acre grain and dairy farm southwest of Shipshewana. The couple has two children — a daughter, Diane (Todd) Woodworth, and a son, John Mark, along with three grandchildren.

“The LaGrange County REMC directors and employees are sincerely grateful to Mark for his many years of service, commitment and dedication to the cooperative. We offer our sincerest condolences to Clara and his family during this time. Mark’s leadership at the REMC will be missed,” said Mark Leu, LaGrange County REMC CEO.