Donald M. Snyder, residing in South Bend, passed away peacefully at 11:00 p.m. Thursday, December 6, 2018 following a brief illness at the age of 91 years old. He was born October 15, 1927 in South Bend, the son of Melvin & Maude (Taylor) Snyder, and has remained a lifelong resident of this community. On February 1, 1947 at Immanuel Methodist Church, South Bend, Don was united in marriage to Thelma M. Brillhart, who has remained the love of his life for nearly 72 years.
He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jane Lynn & Pete Nagy of Elkhart and his son Mark Donald Snyder of South Bend, along with two grandchildren Erika (Brian) Dutrieux of Rogers, AK, and Matthew (Kelly) Nagy of Kalamazoo, MI, and five great-grandchildren, Lukas, Blake, and Grant Dutrieux, and Jack & Emily Nagy. He was preceded in death by his sister, Katherine “Katie” DeWachter on May 25, 2009. Don was a 1947 graduate of Central High School, a graduate of DeForest Radio & Television Engineering, and the Electrical Apprenticeship at Studebakers.
He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII from 1944-1946. Following the war, he worked at Studebakers from 1946-1963, and was employed with the Bendix Corp. /Allied Signal as an Electrical Supervisor, Numerical Control Supervisor, Maintenance Coordinator, and General Foreman retiring in 1992.
He also served as an Electrical Apprentice Instructor and Teacher for the South Bend Community Schools and Ivy Tech. Following retirement, he worked as a Funeral Assistant for Palmer Funeral Homes for more than fifteen years. He was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church where he served as a Board member and Usher for many years.
He was a member and Past Master of the former South Bend Lodge 294, F.&AM, member of St. Joseph Lodge #45, F.&AM. , Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, Orak Shrine Temple and Tuxedo Patrol in Michigan City, Diggers & Duffers @ Four Lakes Country Club, and the Michiana Travel Club, the Bendix Management Club, Past Ticket Captain & Zone Director. Services celebrating Don’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec.
11 at Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 So. Twyckenham Drive, South Bend with Rev. David Schrader officiating.
Military honors and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Family and friends may gather at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Don Snyder may be offered to the Shrine Hospital for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Ave.
, Chicago, IL 60707. Arrangements for the Snyder family are under the care and direction of the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.
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