Tonita Sue Kaler

Tonita Sue Kaler, 88, passed away on June 27, 2025, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Born to Omar and Agnes Tipple in 1936, she grew up in Union City, Indiana with her two brothers, Danny and Dennis Tipple. Toni graduated from Union College in Kentucky, class of 1958. There she met and married our dad, Harold Johnson, in 1957 and divorced in 1978. They had 4 children, Tammi, Todd, Tim, and Tyler. You can imagine with the 4 T’s, that she was usually rattling off all 4 names to get our attention. Toni was married to Ron Kaler in 1988 until his death in 1999.  

While living in NM, Toni attended Alamogordo Presbyterian Church and Grace Methodist Church. She taught kindergarten her entire career at Holloman AFB, retiring in 1998. Once retired, she moved to California to be closer to her children and grandchildren living with her daughter, Tammi, and son-in-law, Jaime. While living in CA, she attended Ridgecrest United Methodist Church. Once Tammi and Jaime retired, Toni moved back to Alamogordo with them where she resided until the end. The family would like to thank Alamogordo Hospice for the kindness they showed to Toni in the final months. 

Toni was a woman of many talents. She was an avid quilter, Sweet Adeline, Pink Lady, loved to play bingo, dog lover, and a great friend.

Toni is survived by her daughter, Tammi Johnson (Jaime Rios) of Alamogordo; sons, Todd Johnson ( Shelley Tharp Johnson) of Sarasota Springs, UT, Tim Johnson (Barb Lane Johnson) of Ridgecrest, CA, Tyler Johnson of Alamogordo; brothers, Danny Tipple (Kathleen) of Springfield, OH, Dennis Tipple (Karen) of Union City, OH; grandchildren, Andy, Spencer (Kylie), Bradley (Shay), Ryan (Keiana), Calvin, Emily (Jacob), Hannah (Stephen), Sam (Aris), Elaina, Jacob; great grandchildren, Penny, Lottie, Houston, Harper, Carter, Liam, Lily, Jonus, Scky, 2 on the way.

She is preceded in death by her oldest grandson, Jasson Rios.

The Kaler family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.

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