Arthur Joseph Tonner's Obituary
After a long life of positive energy and smiles, Arthur Joseph Tonner passed on at the age of 88.
He was born on July 3, 1930 to Paul Carl Tonner and Callista Reiff Tonner and his last day on earth was July 21, 2018. He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Florence Jean Tonner; four children, Deborah Tonner, Joseph Tonner, Diane (Tonner) Raum, Mary (Tonner) Katzen, and five grandchildren. He also leaves two sisters and four brothers. Three other siblings preceded him in death. He will be deeply missed.
Art was raised in Rensselaer, Indiana then raised his family in Chesterton, Indiana. He was always glad to meet someone new or chat with an old friend. His love for travel was often more about embracing new cultures as it was the adventure of getting away. His children will tell you about Sunday drives. Art and Jean were snowbirds to Florida until they moved to Gainesville, FL full time.
Art’s entrepreneurial spirit took him several directions. He co-owned and operated Chesterton Furniture which later became Yesterday’s Treasures. He owned and managed several apartments and was a real estate developer. He was a veteran of the US Army and National Guard of Indiana. Art was president of the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Porter County drainage board.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607, on Friday, August 3, 2018 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829 Arlington, VA 22215.
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