Tonda Lynn Murphy , 67, of Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 9:02 a.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Stillwater Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.

She was born on March 3, 1957, in Connersville, Indiana, the daughter of the late Robert and Wilda (Mauller) Moore.  Growing up in Marion, she graduated from Union County High School, Marion in 1975.  She continued her education at Indiana University – Bloomington, earning a Bachelor's in Music Therapy and General Education.  She completed her Master's in Special Education at St Francis University in Fort Wayne.

Tonda worked for Whitley County Consolidated Schools for thirty years, teaching 3rd and 5th grades.  She retired in 2020.

A passionate educator, she enjoyed working with grade-schoolers and encouraging them to achieve their potential. She was an accomplished pianist and loved to play the piano. At home, she liked to watch the birds and keep others informed on the antics of the geese. She was fond of the Charlie Brown series and used the character in her classroom teachings. She enjoyed reading stories with the schoolchildren at Little Turtle Elementary School. Grandkids were always a priority.

Surviving are her children, Kristyn (Greg) Schisler of South Whitley, Amanda (Michael) Killen of Columbia City, Tyler Murphy of Birmingham, AL, and Erin (Kelly) Bishop of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Tyler, Dayton, Emerick, and Archer; a brother Clyde Mauller of Columbia City and stepbrother, Jon (Darvi) Moore of El Paso, TX.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a brother Michael Moore.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Sept 28th), with a funeral service to follow at 4 p.m. at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Memorials in Tonda's honor are to Whitley County Consolidated Schools.