Toni Renee Tonkinson

Toni Renée Tonkinson
October 29, 1983 – February 16, 2026
Toni Renée Tonkinson, 42, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on February 16, 2026, in the city where she was born and built a life filled with the laughter and love she shared with her friends and family. She had a profound impact on this world.

Toni is survived by her loving husband, Brendan Marshall; her mother, Teresa Montseny; her father, Joe Tonkinson; her brother, James Tonkinson; her beloved niece, Tatum Lau; her maternal grandmother, Barbara Layton; and countless friends whom she cherished as family, including Harriet Bates, whom she considered a second mother, and Alyssa Bates, whom she loved as a daughter.

She was preceded in death by her treasured sister, Tara Lau; her maternal grandfather, Richard Layton; her paternal grandmother, Pauline Tonkinson; her paternal grandfather, Paul Tonkinson; and her great grandmother, Agnes McClease, who was a pedestal of love during her formative years.

A talented and driven businesswoman, Toni earned her Associate of Arts degree from Ozarks Technical Community College. She went on to hold several managerial roles in the fashion retail industry, most notably with Aldo Shoes, where she dedicated seven remarkable years to revitalizing and saving three store locations from closure. Toni had a rare gift for leadership. She built strong, loyal teams and took immense pride in mentoring newcomers, helping shape them into confident and successful professionals. Her employees admired and loved her, and many of those working relationships grew into lasting friendships that continued long after their time together in business.

Toni had a passion for fashion and a love for shopping, traveling, exploring new places, trying new foods, and all things Disney, especially Winnie the Pooh and Disney World, where she married Brendan in 2019. Above all, she treasured time spent with friends and family. To know Toni was to feel included, valued, and loved.

She possessed an enormous personality that could capture an entire room. Beautiful, hilarious, intelligent, and endlessly quick-witted, Toni was unapologetically opinionated and unwavering in her convictions. She was warm and deeply loving, caring not only for everyone she met but even for those she had yet to meet. Her generosity knew no bounds - she was known to give freely, even when it meant going without herself. Her heart was vast, her presence unforgettable, and her absence immeasurable.

A visitation in her honor will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Toni's life was one of passion, loyalty, laughter, and fierce love. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, and devotion that will continue to live on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.

The Memorial Slideshow can be viewed here.