Tonya Kay (McCool) Mitchell , age 61 of Summitville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 surrounded by her family at Summit Health & Living in Summitville following a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gerig's Disease).  She was born June 8, 1963 in Elwood, the daughter of Paul D. and Linda L. (Morris) McCool.  Tonya attended Alexandria and Elwood Schools and later proudly attended night school to earn her GED.  She formerly worked at Parkview Nursing Home in Elwood, Precision Machine Company, and most recently at Elwood Elementary School cafeteria.  Tonya grew up in a Christian home, attending the Church of the Firstborn in Frankton and Cornerstone Assembly in Elwood for many years.  Tonya loved interaction with children and would do anything to help a child.  She enjoyed watching Little House on the Prairie, the Waltons, and was an avid fan of the Miami Dolphins and rarely missed watching a game.

She loved socializing on Facebook - wishing everyone "good morning" and sharing the most recent pictures of her grandchildren.  Tonya especially loved family gatherings, holiday meals at her parents' house, and playing euchre and other card games with family and friends.  She loved her family immensely and cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Tonya will be remembered as a loving, caring, and selfless person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  The family would like to express their gratitude for the love and care provided to Tonya in her final days by the staff at Summit Health & Living and the treasured friendship with her roommate, Denise Dunham.

Tonya's family includes her father, Paul D. (Joyce) McCool of Elwood; 3 children, Tiffany Smith of Elwood, Dustin (Rebekah) Moore of Evansville, Robert Moore, III of Elwood; 3 siblings, Rodney McCool of Elwood, Keith McCool of Naples, Florida, and Sonya (Corey) May of Elwood; 7 grandchildren, Jade Smith, Hailey Smith, Hayden Smith, Aliah Moore, Noel Jordyn Moore, Carson McNamara, and Noah Moore; 4 great-grandchildren, Josiah, Julia, Sebastian, and Amelia; 2 nieces, Kristen McCool and Lauren May; uncle, Robert (Ethel) Morris; and many extended family members.

Tonya was preceded in death by her mother, Linda L. McCool; brother, Ronald McCool; son, Ty McCool; daughter-in-law, Linda Moore; and several aunts and uncles.

A funeral service celebrating Tonya's life will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Matthew Seibel of East Main Street Christian Church officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11am to 1pm prior to the funeral on Monday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the East Main Street Christian Church Youth Group through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.