•ANTOINETTE “TONI” ARTZ

Antoinette “Toni” Artz, of Perrysburg, passed away peacefully March 19, 2022, at Kingston of Perrysburg, surrounded by her loving family. Toni was born in Lima, Ohio, to Bruce and Yvonne (Michels) Bennett. She graduated from Maumee High School in 1958, where she was known as Public Energy #1, due to her boundless energy and spirit. She married Merlin “Jim” Artz in 1963, and put her roots down in Perrysburg, raising five children.

Toni spent many years active in the Perrysburg Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary. Through the years she worked for Perrysburg High School, Kmart and LarMar Foods.

Toni was an avid walker, often walking nine miles a day with her faithful companion, Cash. She loved nature and spent hours each spring planting flowers. She loved all animals, and was always on the lookout for a butterfly, cardinal or hummingbird. Toni, with the help of Jim, made sure the neighborhood squirrels were wellfed–and often hand-fed while sitting in her lap. She even named a few she knew by sight.

Toni loved going to street fairs and craft shows with her daughters and daughter-in-law, and buying hand-crafted items. She loved taking her grandchildren to the zoo, whether they were visiting her or she was visiting them out-of-state.

Regardless of the sports season, Toni often had a game on–especially when Notre Dame football was playing. She had a huge sweet tooth, and was extremely fond of Vanilla Buns, Peppermint Patties and black jellybeans. Toni will be remembered for her joy of singing and dancing to oldies music and gospel songs. Even as her memory faded from dementia, music always comforted her and brought her joy.

Toni is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jim; son, Brian (Rosanna) Artz; daughters, Pamela (Ronald) Malzahn, Christina Artz, Cary (Robert) Sheppard and Ginger (Scott) Conaway; grandchildren, Bailey, Bryn, Bennett, Devin, Mac and Chloe; great-grandson, Kadyn; brothers, Ben (Pat) Bennett, Mike Bennett, John Bennett; sisters, Marti (Don) Zeek, Vonnie Tabb and Julie (Jim) Ross, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews. Toni was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Kathy (Seitz) Bennett, and brother-in-law, Bill Tabb.

Friends and family will be received Friday, March 25, from 2 to 7 p.m., at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary Street, Perrysburg, where funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Fort Meigs Union Cemetery.

The family would like to thank nurses and caregivers at Kingston of Perrysburg and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their loving care and compassion during the past three years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Toni’s honor to Wood County Humane Society or the Toledo Zoo. Condolences may be made online to the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.