Tonya Layne Chernesky

Tonya L. Chernesky, 70, of Fort Wayne, finished her earthly journey and went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, October 17, 2026. She was born March 27, 1956, in Hamilton, Ohio, to the late Frank L. and Doris Prater.

She was a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, and a friend to so many. She was also a nurse and a nurse executive, a singer who always found her alto harmony, a comedienne who could own a stage, and a woman of deep faith.

Tonya loved her family with her whole heart. While serving as a church camp counselor and camp nurse at Camp Calvary/Oakhill in Angola, Indiana, she met John Chernesky. The two entered a discipleship program, where they developed a budding relationship. They married on November 8, 1980. More than anything, Tonya longed to become a mother. In 1990, their son, Tyler, entered their lives. Being Tyler’s mom was one of her great joys.

Long before she was a wife and mother, Tonya attended Northcrest Elementary, where she met her lifelong friend Terri (Riley) Stemen, and where, in sixth grade, she earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. She sang in the choir and played sports at Northwood Junior High, then went on to Northrop High School, where she kept singing, performed in musicals, and cheered on her classmates at games.

During these formative years, Tonya became a prolific seamstress, stitching up an “all-new” outfit every weekend. She was active in Brownies, Girl Scouts, and 4-H, collecting badges and county fair ribbons along the way.

Her drive to learn never let up. She earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Purdue University and her master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Tonya was a nurse at heart and a leader by nature. She cared for patients in intensive care and coronary care at Parkview Memorial Hospital and at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital in Angola, where she spent 31 years, 24 of them as director of nursing. Patients, families, and the nurses who worked alongside her always knew they were in good hands. Tonya also served as both president and secretary/treasurer of the Northeast Indiana Organization of Nurse Executives and worked with the Indiana Organization of Nurse Executives to help launch Indiana’s “Be a Nurse” specialty license plate in 2003. For years she drove a van with the plate “1 RN.”

Tonya’s life was rooted in faith. For decades, Calvary Temple Worship Center was her church home. There she sang in the choir, worked with the bus ministry, and served on the makeup crew for its annual production of The Living Cross.

Nothing made Tonya happier than getting a whole room laughing. On stage or around a kitchen table, her quick wit and comedic timing made her hilarious. She performed with her sister, Deb, and dear friends Terri and Doris Butler as the Lemon Sisters (Lillie, Lila, Lola, and Lucy). Tonya was Lola. Together they sang and clowned their way through churches in several states, with their final musical comedy performance on New Year’s Eve 1999.

As her health declined and she was unable to be as actively involved at church, she relied on the compassionate support of Karen Ernst, a longtime friend. Tonya also became a fervent prayer warrior, praying day and night for the needs of family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Only heaven knows the impact of her diligent prayers.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, John; her son, Tyler Chernesky; her sister, Deb (Scott) Mills; her niece, Cora (Brian) Rowe; and her brothers-in-law, Mike (Catherine) Chernesky and Mark Chernesky. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank L. and Doris Prater.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Grace Summit Church, 5903 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, with visitation one hour prior. Larry Goodwin will officiate.

The family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support of family and friends during this time of grief and loss.

Thanks for the laughter and the memories, Lola.

We love you.