Calvin S. Bontz

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Waters Funeral Home, Vandalia.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Waters Funeral Home.
Officiating: Pastor Nathan Detmer.
Music: Dennis Noel - soloist..
Entombment: the Vandalia Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Shannon Culwell, Merle Lee Culwell, Jon Janis, Noel Baker, Phillip Bishop, Tyler Nichols, and Zack Nichols.

Calvin Smith Bontz passed away at 7:14 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at his farm west of Curryville. He grew up in the Center area and was a 1958 Perry High School graduate. Calvin lived on his farm near Curryville since 1960. He first worked for the City of Perry and then went to work at Harbison Walker Refractories. Calvin then became a full-time grain and livestock farmer. His love for horses led him to be a "Founding Father" at Tri-County Saddle Club. He taught the next generation to compete in several events. His career was in machinery sales. He started out selling equipment from his front yard and it grew to the Bontz Machinery lot in Vandalia. Calvin traveled many miles and made many friends buying and selling equipment. His final retirement sale was in 2016. He was a member of the New Harmony Christian Church. His hobbies included collecting knives and guns, attending auctions, horseshows, parades, old thrashers conventions, fairs, and tractor pulls, and playing cards.

Born: October 7, 1940 in Center, Missouri, the son of Ernest L. and Willia M. (Simpson) Bontz.

Married: Helen Sue Dowell in Vandalia on August 15, 1959; she preceded him in death on Sept. 20, 2011; he then married Phyllis L. Bishop in Montgomery City on July 31, 1985; she preceded him in death on May 29, 2012.

Survivors include: one daughter, Margie Sue Bontz of Bowling Green; two step-children: Mitzi Nichols (Tom) of Buell and Phillip Bishop (Bessie) of Hannibal; four grandchildren: Candice S. Bontz of Bowling Green; Zack and Tyler Nichols of Buell, and Paige Bishop of Hannibal.

Preceded in death by: parents; one daughter, Bobbie J. Bontz on Dec. 13, 2002; one brother, E. W. Bontz; one sister, Wanda M. (Bontz) Motley

Memorials are encouraged to the Tri-County Saddle Club.