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Nov. 2, 1970 — July 15, 2020

Tina Marie Imus, 49, of Cassopolis, sister, aunt, daughter, gardener, artist, vocalist and decorator died peacefully at 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, with family gathered around at The Center for Hospice Care in Roseland, Indiana, following a brief illness.

She was born on Nov. 2, 1970, in Mishawaka, to Leroy E. and Jean L. (Hess) Imus.

She was graduated from Brandywine High School and has lived in this area all of her life. She was an active part of a community of regular diners at Taco Bell and McDonald’s and was also well-known at CVS and Walgreens.

Tina became a member of the Community Evangelical Free Church, in Niles, following her baptism in Dowagiac Creek by Pastor Colin Seitz which she counted as one of the happiest moments of her life. At Sunday morning worship services her voice indicated the hymns she found most inspirational and at home her voice would ring through the halls, sometimes — but not always — because she was wearing headphones. In addition to contemporary Christian music, she enjoyed some country music and Mannheim Steamroller.

She had a great ability to nurture plants as evidenced by the number of potted plants in her room and on the deck and the gardens of perennials in the yard. She had a creative decorator’s mind that successfully enhanced the natural plantings with strings — and strings — of LED lights, both outside and inside. Her artistic skills included colored pencil art of intricate garden scenes and figure studies, some of which she had completed and posted in the past month. She had also completed some three-dimensional puzzles and other craft media.

Tina has kept a journal for most of her life which has been a remarkable assist for health care givers as they sought remedies for changes and challenges in her health. She enjoyed romance movies, including the Hallmark Channel and some cringe-worthy crime dramas. Of course, someone who likes the Hallmark Channel, decorative LED lights and Mannheim Steamroller must love Christmas and Tina did, indeed.

Tina was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Louise Imus, in 2004.

Surviving family includes her father, Leroy (Barb) Imus, of Niles; Tina’s siblings, Carol (Luke) Cramer, of Cassopolis, Misty Vanlaecke, of Niles, Shawn Imus, of Niles, Tom (Debra) Imus, of Oregon, and Teresa Fulbright, of Mishawaka; half-brothers, Jeff Neland, of Dowagiac, and John Neland, of Florida; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews including Brittany; and a wonderful circle of special friends.

The funeral service for Tina Imus will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 East Bertrand Road in Niles with the Rev. Andrew P. Jacobs of the church officiating.

A time of fellowship will follow at 8 p.m. Those who prefer to witness the ceremony via the livestreamed broadcast may do so on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices.

The family is gathering privately on Wednesday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home. Family will gather at 10 a.m. on Friday at her graveside in Mishawaka’s Fairview Cemetery for committal services.

Contributions in memory of Tina may be made to: Wilm’s Tumor Research at Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105; stjude.org/disease/wilms-tumor.html.

Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com

Tina was clearly a free spirit, in her artistic endeavors, her interior decorating and gardening. That free spirit was also on display while dining at Taco Bell, shopping at Walgreens and singing her heartfelt worship at church. Those who took the time — and effort — to get face-to-face with her were rewarded to see the sparkle in her eyes, evidence of her joy.