GOSHEN — Emma Jean Ernest, 86, Goshen, died at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at her residence.
She was born Oct. 11, 1931, in Nappanee, to John Lewis and Elizabeth Snider Rensberger. On July 5, 1952, in Goshen, she married Dale Ernest; he died June 17, 2001.
Emma is survived by her daughters, JoAnn (John) Manges, New Paris, and Diann Zamora, Goshen; a son, James (Kelly) Ernest, Pierceton; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Catherine Alexander, Goshen; and a brother, Wilford Rensberger, Warsaw.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dale; sisters: Marg Overlander, Myrtle Young and Arlene Kunder; and brothers: Richard, Charles, Douglas and John Everett Rensberger.
She was a 1951 graduate of Nappanee High School and a member of Sugar Grove Church.
Emma worked as an assembler at Switches and was a seamstress at Wieland Designs Inc. She also helped with Shriners fundraisers.
A special thanks to the Maples at Waterford Crossing and AseraCare Hospice for their loving care during this time.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service Monday, Nov. 6, at Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Goshen. Pastor Tony Tice will officiate. Burial will follow in Sugar Grove Cemetery.
