Tina JoAnn Eminger

Tina JoAnn (Renner) Eminger, 69, of Cloverdale, passed peacefully from this life in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 21, 2025, while in the care of Community South Hospital. She was born in Fort Wayne on Christmas Day, 1955, to Robert Eugene Renner and Shirley M. (Briggs) Lewis. The second of five girls, Tina, attended Homestead High School in Fort Wayne where she excelled as a majorette and even could twirl a mean fire baton. While strolling through the halls during passing period in 1970, she made eye contact with her future husband, Mark, and he instantly knew she was the one. Attracted to his intelligence, it didn’t hurt that he also smelled nice. Following her graduation in 1974, the couple dated for three more years before marrying on April 9, 1977, and brought two children into the world, completing their family of four. A dedicated wife, mother, and nana, Tina prided herself in her natural gift of taking care of those around her, continuously going above and beyond for the people she loved. She attended all her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, and held a deep special connection with her grandson, Wyatt, always encouraging him to be his best self. Her true passion was being a homemaker who was an excellent cook, ensuring her people never went hungry. After whipping up a full breakfast and cleaning the kitchen she then asked what her family wanted for lunch and began preparing the next meal. Tina even went so far as to make sure the scrumptious dishes she made were diet-friendly for all, especially during the holiday feasts. Community minded, Tina was a zealous volunteer, buying and donating food, clothing, and shoes for needy children in boy’s homes, local food pantries, and the Head Start program. Her door was always open, and the family frequently took in family and friends when they were in need; she was a mom and nana to many people. She wasn’t one to provide lip service by asking what you need, she took initiative and saw what was necessary and did it. An entrepreneur of sorts, Tina was a true natural at her various ventures, tackling any task or challenge that came her way, mastering it beautifully. She was a self-taught baker and started her own wedding cake business, with her first client ordering a cake for five hundred people. She knocked it out of the ballpark and was successful in her endeavor. Tina treasured her flower gardens and enjoyed bird watching, especially hummingbirds, and reveled in her trips to the sunny climate of Florida. Her life was one of devotion, love, caring, giving, generosity, empathy, and selflessness. She was a faithful servant who read her Bible regularly and prayed for others endlessly. Her purpose in this life was taking care of others, a task she conquered with grace and tenderness. She will be forever missed and her legacy will live on in the hearts those who were blessed to know and love her. Tina was preceded in death by her father, Robert Renner; stepfather, Jess Lewis; niece, Kristine Brannan; and brother-in-law, Paul Pancner. She leaves behind her husband and soulmate, Mark E. Eminger of Cloverdale; children, Christina Claire (Joe) of Oxford, OH, and Mark A. Eminger (Bethany) of McCordsville; sisters, Jewel Henry (Steve) of Cape Coral, FL, Dawn Shipley, Roz Pancner, and Melanie Brown (Matt) all of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Joseph Claire (Katie Ramsey), and Anna Claire of Oxford, OH, and Wyatt Eminger of McCordsville; along with a plethora of nieces and nephews. Cremation Arrangements were entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel, in Monrovia, and per Tina’s wishes, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your local children’s charity, as that is what she would want. To share a favorite story, send the family an online condolence, or light a candle in her memory, visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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Tina JoAnn Eminger

December 25, 1955 - December 21, 2025