Pama Tonner

Pama Tonner, age 88, of Rensselaer and Naples, Florida passed away Friday, March 27, 2015, at the Naples Community Hospital. Pama was born May 25, 1926, in Pana, Illinois, the daughter of Loretta (Bertin) and Earl R. Call. Pama had resided in Shelbyville and Momence, Illinois, and lived in Rensselaer for 67 years. Upon retirement she and Don wintered in Naples, Florida. On September 4, 1948 in Momence, Illinois Pama married Donald J. Tonner. Surviving with her loving husband Don are two daughters, Pama (husband Tim) Schreeg and Donna (husband Steve) Bailey, both of Rensselaer, five grandchildren, Ashley (husband Harold Smith) Hughes of Rensselaer, Brandon (wife Beth) Schreeg of Zionsville, Ind., Nathan (wife Rochelle) Bailey and Megan (husband Jacob) Sipe, both of Indianapolis, and Sarah (husband Marcus) Horschel of Indialantic, Florida, and nine great-grandchildren, Jackson and Adelyn Hughes, Benjamin and Ava Schreeg, Kaden and Callista Bailey, Alexa Sipe and Avaya and Brody Horschel, and one step-great grandchild, Allison Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Loretta Call and her brother, Burton Call of Kankakee, Ill. Pama graduated with the Momence High School Class of 1944. She attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing, graduating with the Class of 1947, during which time she was a member of the Army Nurse Cadet Core. She worked as an R.N. at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois and at Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer. Throughout her nursing career she not only was a hospital employee, but performed private duty nursing which included assisting with births and hospice care. It was common at this time to see Pama giving her friends B12 and allergy shots in her home. As she ended her nursing career, Pama initiated the formation of the Jasper County Hospital Auxiliary and served as the organization’s first President. She was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer and of Sigma Phi Gamma. In her youth Pama enjoyed sewing, gardening, singing, cooking and entertaining friends and family. She was a kind, friendly and considerate individual and a loving, caring wife, mother and grandmother. Pama and her husband Don, looked forward to their time wintering in the Florida sunshine. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 31, 2015, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer with Rosary Services being held at 7:30 P.M. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer with Father Don Davison officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Rensselaer. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Augustine Catholic School of Rensselaer.

Pama Tonner

May 25, 1926 - March 27, 2015