Emma Jean (Bentley) Herthoge

Emma Jean Herthoge, age 67 of Mishawaka, went to be with her Lord and Savior at the Hospice House in Elkhart County on Monday, August 31, 2020.  Emma Jean was born June 11, 1953 in Jenkins, Kentucky to the late Sollie and Pina (Reed) Bentley.   On November 8, 1971, she married Gregory Herthoge in Elkhart, Indiana.  Greg preceded her in death.

Emma is survived by her daughter Kyra Newman of Elkhart, and her granddaughter who she raised as her own daughter, Brittiny (Alexander) Bell of Mishawaka. Also surviving are her grandsons Hunter Gould and Chase Newman and her great grandsons Jose Andres Rangel and Logan Pendergrass.  She is also survived by her siblings Jeanette Bradford of Granger, Indiana, Aultion “Mitchell” Bentley of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Frank (Judy) Bentley of Bremen, Indiana, Alby Ray Bentley of Elkhart, Indiana, Patricia Kay Spenser and Jerry Bentley, both of Niles, Michigan.  Emma was preceded in death by her sisters Janice Kidder and Janet Lowry and her brother’s in law, Raymond Bradford and Jack Kidder and her sister in law Gail Bentley.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm Thursday, September 3, 2020 at Cruz Family Funeral Home of Osceola.  Her brother, Pastor Mitchell Bentley will officiate her funeral service at 11:00 am  Friday, September 4, 2020 and she will be laid to rest beside her parents in Olive Cemetery, Elkhart.

Emma loved her family immensely and loved the Lord even more.  She was a longtime member of The Church of God in Niles, Michigan where she served faithfully for many years.  She enjoyed singing hymns and led many children to the Lord through her work as a Sunday school teacher.

She served mostly as a homemaker, but she also worked outside of the home caring for others as a home health aide.  In her spare time, she enjoyed singing, birdwatching and growing flowers in her garden.

In her memory, donations may be made to The Church of God, 2451 Spansail, Niles, Michigan, 49120. To leave a message of condolence for Emma’s family, light a virtual candle in her memory, or view her digital video tribute, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.