Tonita Louise Flint

Tonita Louise "Toni" Flint, 91, of Lima, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026 at Cedarhurst Senior Living in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was born on August 19, 1935 in Dayton to the late Carl Michael and Thelma Marie (Wisener) Petry. She married Brownie J. Flint in 1956 and they later divorced.

Surviving is a daughter, Tonya (Jeff) Summers, Indiana; a son, Jerry Flint, Iowa; grandchildren, Jacob (Alyson) Summers, Emily (Gabe) Tenaglia, and Bayley (Matt) Johnson; great-grandson Grayson Summers. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Cordell "Mike" Petry and daughter-in-law, Dayna Flint.

Tonita worked at the National Biscuit Company in Dayton as a cost accountant. She also worked for Northmont Local Schools in Englewood, Shawnee Local Schools, and Bath Local Schools in the secretarial and bookkeeping departments. Tonita was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Lima, the Order of the Eastern Star Englewood Chapter #563, and the Shawnee Retired Secretaries. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren.

Tonita had a sense of adventure, always willing to take on a new experience and meeting new people. Whether it was traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, one of her trips to Europe or simply going across town to try a new restaurant with friends, she embraced the experience and people around her. She was full of laughter and joy even if it meant pointing out some funny story about herself. She loved watching her children and grandchildren in their various activities and pursuits, always supporting them and often their biggest fan.

Boiler Up! Go Blue! Tonita loved Purdue University and University of Michigan sports. Jerry, Emily, Jacob and Gabe all have a degree from Purdue and Jeff from Michigan. So as to not show favoritism, Tonita rooted for both. And, if the teams played each other, one quarter was for one team and the next the other team.

Tonita’s passion for music and faith led her to play the piano or organ and sing in the choir at the various churches she attended. This was a God given talent that many got to enjoy with her for many years. In her later years, Tonita took up quilting. Her children and grandchildren were blessed with at least one of her many quilts.

Throughout her later years, Tonita faced a few health issues. One was being a breast cancer survivor and the other was rheumatoid arthritis. She faced these with courage and never let it get in her way of enjoying life to its fullest.

Visitation is 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Hanneman-Siferd Funeral Home, 506 N. Cable Road in Lima. Additional visitation will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Barnes Funeral Home, 220 E. Main Street in Eaton where the funeral service will take place at 1p.m. with Rev. Mick Miller presiding. Burial will be in Concord Cemetery, Eaton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family via the Guestbook at www.barnesfuneralhome.com