Beloved mother, cherished daughter, treasured sister, dearest auntie, adored niece, endearing friend, heart of our hearts…
Antonina “Toni” Xiena Zhu, 31, of Mansfield, Ohio, passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Now at peace, she resides in her new, permanent heavenly dwelling with other family and friends eternally comforted by her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Toni was born in Tutayev, Yaroslavl Region, Russia, on February 17, 1995. As a young child, she lived in Moline and Rock Island, Illinois, and Shenzhen, China, before moving to Mansfield, Ohio, in 2004, where she continued to reside until her passing. Toni graduated from Clear Fork High School in 2013.
Even as a youngster, Toni exhibited great potential in several areas, most notably music, art, and athletics. A skilled musician, she played violin before learning clarinet and saxophone for the Clear Fork High School Marching and Concert Bands as well as Jazz Ensemble.
Ever the imaginative and creative soul, Toni excelled in graphic art from an early age and had one of her pieces selected for exhibition in the Governor’s Fine Art Show in Columbus, Ohio, while a high school student.
A natural athlete, Toni loved playing sports, especially soccer, and she also played tennis and softball. She had an equal passion for skiing and eventually snowboarding.
Gregarious, lively, and fun-loving, Toni’s quick-witted one-liners were unforgettable. Besides her wonderful sense of humor and engaging personality, family and friends also remember her kindness, helpfulness, loyalty, and desire to excel at everything she attempted.
As a young adult, Toni’s life centered around her two sons, Roy Castro and Lukas Ledbetter, whom she loves passionately. She took great pride in mothering them and providing a home for them. They hold many fond and happy memories of time spent together enjoying activities, such as fishing, tubing, swimming, traveling, and theme park rides, to name a few. Toni was the epitome of a “boy” mom, and her boys were by far the joy and focus of her life.
Toni’s passing leaves a gaping hole in each person that she has touched in her too short life. Her larger-than-life presence will continue to live on in her children, family, friends, and acquaintances. Memories of her will occupy our hearts and fill our thoughts until we meet again.
Besides Roy and Lukas, her two sons, Toni is survived by her parents, Aaron and Connie Zhu; sister, Alyona Zhu; niece, Ava Zhu; uncles and aunts, Stan and Kitty Black, Zhou Wei and Zhu Wen; and numerous great aunts and uncles, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Zhu Chuanxian and Xie Meizhen and maternal grandparents, Leroy and Lois Black.
There will be a private memorial service for immediate family on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the Snyder Funeral Homes, Bellville Butler Chapel, Bellville, Ohio. Toni’s urn will be interred in Bunkerhill Cemetery at a later time. A Celebration of Life service for the public may be planned for a later time.
In lieu of flowers, a fund for donations to aid her children, Roy and Lukas will be available through Snyder’s.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Toni’s family and encourage you to share a fond memory or message of condolence on her obituary page at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Bellville Chapel
Website: www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com