Christopher Wayne Bontrager

Christopher Wayne Bontrager, 41, of Decatur, IL passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at Penn Station, 122 East Progress St, in Arthur, IL. Funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM following the visitation at Penn Station. Burial will follow in the Arthur Cemetery. The family request casual dress. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Chris was born on July 22, 1984 in Tuscola, IL. He was the son of Samuel C. and Pamela Mae (Binion) Bontrager. He married Kristin Marshelle Campbell on July 17, 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Kristin Bontrager, his four children, Tyler Bontrager, Breanna Johnson and her husband Issac, Brooklyn Bontrager and "daddy's Beebs", and Layna Bontrager, one grandson, Cody Johnson, one sister, Alissa Bontrager of Purdin, MO, a niece, Makayla Sizemore and her husband Dalton of Purdin, MO, their four children, and his nephew, Bryson Giles of Decatur, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Misty Lynn and Nichole Ann, our beloved family dog, Camo, and many other family members who were all waiting to greet him in Heaven.

Chris grew up in Arthur, IL. His family moved to Purdin, Missouri when Chris was 16. Chris and Kristin met at age 15 by chance and quickly became inseparable, so he moved back to Illinois. Their 4 children were the absolute light of their lives. Chris was a skilled carpenter. From age 13 on, Chris followed in his dad's footsteps in the construction business. He could build anything with his bare hands.

Chris had a passion for music. He could hear any song or tune once and play it right back to you. He played the drums throughout most of his life, he even started a band with his father and good friend, Lamar Shrock, called "The Amish Outlaws". His sister, Alissa, and him loved to do karaoke together on his mom and dad's deck when the family all gathered. Later in life, he picked up the guitar and never put it down. After his father's passing, he inherited Sam's pride and joy guitar. Chris was rarely spotted without his dad's guitar in his lap in the last year.

Chris and his family enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and back road joy rides. "If you ain't covered in mud, it ain't fun!" was their motto. He loved to grill and do all things outdoors. Chris, Kristin, and the kids, plus their kid's friends often spent time around a backyard bonfire poking fun at each other and singing. Friday nights were their pizza and movie nights all piled on couches. The family dog, Camo, was usually at his feet. He will always be remembered for his silly nature and big presence everywhere he went.

Memorials may be made to his children.