Emma Jean Ernest, 86, Goshen, died 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 and he died on 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 is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dale, sisters, Marg Overlander, Myrtle Young, 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 the 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 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service Monday, Nov. 6 all at Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Goshen. Pastor Tony Tice will officiate. Burial will follow in Sugar Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children.