Jane Tonn, age 73, of Lady Lake, FL, formerly of Plantation, FL, passed peacefully into eternity on November 5, 2016.
Jane, daughter of Ivan Paul and Rosena Christina (Weissinger) Schlesselman, was born on August 20, 1943 in Des Moines, IA. The family moved to Oelwein, IA in 1948, where she started her elementary education, and to Aurora, IA, in 1954, where she graduated from East Buchanan High School in 1961. In 1965, Jane received a degree in Elementary Education from UNI, Cedar Falls, IA.
Jane Ann Schlesselman and Gene Hilbert Tonn were united in marriage on August 15, 1965 in Aurora, IA. To this union were born two children: Timothy Gene and Troy William. They lived in Williamsburg, IA, while Gene completed his dental degree at U of Iowa, Iowa City, and Jane taught first grade.
In 1967, they moved to Miami, where Jane taught first grade for one year at Snapper Creek Elementary. In August of 1970, they moved to Plantation, FL, where Gene established his dental practice. Jane received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Ed. from FAU in Boca Raton in 1974. From 1980 to 1993, she taught at Plantation United Methodist Preschool.
In 2002, the couple built and enjoyed a second home in Waynesville, NC, and in 2014, they moved from Plantation to Lady Lake.
On April 30, 1974, Jane’s life was forever changed when she received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord. It was as if (according to her words), she walked out of a cave into the bright sunlight. Her love for the Lord was evident to all who knew her. She treasured the time spent in church choir and Bible studies, including teaching several Precept Bible studies
Jane enjoyed and lived life to the fullest, as her family and many friends will testify. Her competitive spirit was seen in earlier years on the girl’s basketball court, and in later years on the tennis court, where up until April of 2016, she still played tennis. She was always ready to play any variety of board and card games, and working a jigsaw puzzle was a favorite pastime. Her organization skills were “over the top” and “mostly” in a good way. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary, sending out a multitude of cards each year, all with notes of encouragement.
Her sweet spirit of love and encouragement, and her gift of hospitality were known and enjoyed by many. She loved memorizing Scripture, and recently memorized several Psalms and other passages, which gave her great strength and comfort as she faced the difficulties of this most recent illness. She treasured the many times her sons read the Word of God to her and prayed with her.
Her three precious grandchildren were the joy and light of her life. Camp Grandpa and Grandma was always a special highlight each year. She knew that her two precious daughters-in-love were handpicked by the Lord. The love of her life for 51 years was steadfast, faithful, and unwavering in his devotion to her. Family times were the most precious of all to her.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents, two infant twin grandsons, Connor and Cameron, and her brother Philip.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Gene; sons, Timothy (Anna) Tonn of Midlothian, VA, and Troy (Jenifer) Tonn, Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Abigail Jane and Ethan William Tonn, Tampa, FL, and Olivia Rose Tonn, Midlothian, VA; one sister, Roma (Jim) Treat, Storm Lake, IA; nieces and nephews, Jerry and Dawn Schlesselman, Todd (Janet) Treat and Traci (Derek) Wharton, Aaron (Lindsay) Johnson and Dr. Jarod (Laurie) Johnson; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. William and Dr. Georgia (Tonn) Johnson, Iowa City, IA.; along with other relatives and many friends.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 2 – 3 p.m., with a funeral service to follow at 3 p.m., located at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 1511 Buenos Aires Blvd., The Villages, FL 32159.
Interment will be held privately at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell FL.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, https://web.cshospice.org/ or Cavalry Chapel Villages, 1308 Cleveland Ave, Wildwood, FL 34785.
