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In Memory

Raymond D Snyder - Class Of 1953 VIEW PROFILE

Raymond D. “Ray” Snyder

Family and friends are mourning the loss of Raymond D. “Ray” Snyder, who departed from this life on Saturday evening, March 11, 2023. Ray was born in South Bend, Indiana, October 28, 1934, to Laura G. “Gertie” Snyder (nee Penrose) and Frederick W. “Fred” Snyder, who preceded him in death. He also had a brother, James Odell, who lost his life defending our country during World War II, and two sisters, Violet (Huffaker) and Virginia, who also preceded Ray in death.

Ray was a gifted athlete and an avid sports fan. He played football for the Clay Colonials and he loved Notre Dame football. During his youth, he spent his summers playing in softball leagues, which he continued to do into adulthood, including during the early years of his marriage. After he married the love of his life, Rosalie (nee Mandler), on July 29, 1955, and their sons were born, he spent summers managing his sons in little league games and in other sports. Later, Ray became an excellent bowler, and bowled in a number of leagues. In his middle years, he took part in Sunburst races, and after his retirement, Ray being on the golf course was often the first sign of spring.

In the 1950s, Ray worked for the Studebaker Corporation, before working for a short time for I&M. In the early 1960s, he began working for Uniroyal, where he stayed until 1969. In 1969, he took a job with Royal Crown Cola, until he was offered a job at Vincent Bach Corporation, in Elkhart, where he spent the last 27 years of his work life as a skilled craftsman, buffing musical instruments and assembling musical instruments until his retirement in 1997. He was a perfectionist!

Ray and Rosalie had three sons. They have lived with their oldest son, Michael, and his husband, Felix Marquez, since March 2022. Their second son, Denny, lives with his partner, Cinthia Sabetti, and her two children, Rafael and Kiara, just outside of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Their youngest son, David, and his wife, Cyndi, live in Elkhart. Through a previous marriage, Denny gave his parents three grandchildren: Ariane, Lorrie, and Philip.

Ray was known for his quick wit, his laugh and sense of humor, and for the way he nurtured others with his kind, loving ways. In addition to his immediate relatives, he leaves a legion of nieces and nephews he loved, and so many others who, family or not, saw him as a father figure. His gentle smile will never be forgotten.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Ray may be donated to the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 223, Lakeville, IN 46536. Online condolences may be offered to the Snyder family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Posted online on March 14, 2023

 

Published in South Bend Tribune

03/15/2023 EJS



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