Tonya J. Tanner

Tonya Jolene Tanner, 53, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, left this world on August 27, 2024, after years of brave and courageous battles with illness. 

Tonya Jolene Pound was born May 21, 1971 in Fredonia, Kansas. It was here that she would also attend school and spend much of her life. It was also here that on Feb. 14th, 1989, Tonya married musician Steve Tanner of Antlers, Oklahoma. That marriage resulted in their son, Tyler, and grandsons Caden and Corbyn Tanner, and son Steven, and grandson Maison Tanner. The Tanner family would later include an honorary son, Tony Tillery…all of whom made up her entire world, they were her life, her absolute pride and joy.

 Tonya’s greatest love was her family. She was a devoted wife, a proud mother, and an adoring grandmother. She cherished every moment with her grandsons and took great joy in watching them grow. Her love for them was boundless. She was most happy not only with immediate family, but all family. She looked forward to reunions each year and was at her best when she surrounded herself among cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. 

Though she suffered many health obstacles throughout her life. she faced every challenge with unwavering courage and a smile on her face. Her resilience was an inspiration to everyone around her, and her loving spirit was a guiding light for much of her family and friends. 

Tonya was preceded in death by her parents, Bernadine Pound in 2022, and Garold “Jim” Spoon in 2010; her father-in-law, Jeff Tanner 2021; and a brother-in-law, Mark Voth, 2022. 

She is survived by her husband Steve Tanner, and son Tyler Tanner of the home, and son Steven Tanner of Sycamore, KS. and three Grandsons: Caden, Corbyn and Maison Tanner. She is also survived by three sisters Connie and husband, David Wilhite of Parsons, KS, Rhonda and husband Greg Powell of Neodesha, Ks, Renee Voth of Chanute, KS and two brothers, Gary and wife Deanna Spoon of Fredonia KS and Garrett Pound of Fredonia, Ks. She is also survived by 9 nieces and nephews and a score of great nieces and nephews, all of whom she made a point to somehow touch and enhance their lives. 

Her legacy is of love, strength, and family. It will live on in not only the hearts of her close family, but she will continue to have a special place in the hearts of her extended family and friends alike and is a lasting inspiration to the lives she touched.

 A celebration of Tonya’s life will begin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, with visitation from 5-7 pm, and services on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Wickham Family Funeral Home in Fredonia, KS. 

Interment will follow at Fredonia City Cemetery.