It is with profound sorrow that we share the Ana Zarkovic Ohio Obituary—a tribute to a bright young life cut tragically short.
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Harrison County community was devastated by the news of Ana Zarkovic’s death. A 12-year-old seventh-grade student at Harrison Hills City School District—often referred to as Harrison Central Jr./Sr. High School—Ana passed away in a tragic single-vehicle accident. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that the incident involved an overturned utility vehicle (a black 2016 Kawasaki Mule Pro) on Old Smyrna Road, near State Route 800 in Freeport Township. The vehicle veered off into a ditch, causing fatal injuries to Ana, who succumbed later at Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center in Cambridge.
The community response was both immediate and poignant. The school district released a message of deep grief:
“It is with deep sadness that we share news of a tragic accident involving one of our students on August 23, 2025. We are heartbroken to report that Ana Zarkovic, a seventh-grade student, passed away in the accident. Ana was a bright light in our community and an active member of our Junior High cheerleading program.”
Her loss has left a void in the hearts of all who knew her—classmates, teachers, teammates, family, and friends. Counselors and crisis support teams are being made available to those in need in the coming days.
In remembering Ana Zarkovic, we recall not just the tragedy of the accident, but the warmth she brought into every room. Her death reverberated across the school community, leading to heartfelt conversations about support, grief, and healing. Students and staff are encouraged to lean on each other, with school counseling and the national Crisis Lifeline (988) both available as sources of comfort and aid.
Her obituary echoes the collective pain of a community mourning one of its own—an irreparable loss, shared by many, that unites rather than divides. Ana died surrounded by the love of classmates and educators who admired her spirit and remembered her as a radiant presence.
This tragedy reminds us tragically and tenderly that life’s fragility can become evident in an instant. The abruptness of Ana Zarkovic’s death—a young life thriving, full of promise, and so quickly snatched away—underscores the precious nature of each moment. It emphasizes the importance of cherishing our loved ones and communities, especially when they are young and vibrant.
