Neal Snyder

Neal F. Snyder was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who provided for his family through hard work and deep compassion. He was successful in business, in part because he valued people’s time and was always punctual, and also because he was brutally honest and always told it like it was. At the same time, Neal delighted friends and family with his good humor and lively spirit. He was a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Neal’s story began as the United States was trying to recover from economic depression and political matters were stirring in Europe. Americans were inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats and worked hard wherever they could to restore the prosperity of families and communities. Neal was born to William and Leona (Wieber) Snyder on February 20, 1938 in Fowler, Michigan. He was the fifth of seven children growing up along side the family business, Snyder Wholesale Meat Company, owned and operated by his parents.

Neal’s childhood was filled with fun and friends. Being very social and able to talk to most anyone, he made friends easily and could be found playing sports most any time.

He attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School and then Fowler High School, where he excelled as a student and an athlete. He was skilled in history and math and was the starting football quarterback from his freshman through his senior year of high school. Though a serious student, Neal had a mischievous side to him and always managed to have fun.

After high school graduation, Neal entered the U. S. Army and was stationed in Washington state. He served for two years before returning home to Fowler to become part of the family business. Snyder Wholesale Meat Company became his lifelong pursuit and provision for the future he would build.

With his talent and experience in sports, Neal played competitive softball in the years following his military service. He traveled with the team all over the state of Michigan, and at one particular game in St. Johns, he had the good fortune to meet a lovely young woman named Rita Riley. From the moment they met, Rita knew that Neal was the man for her. They began dating, and though Rita was fond of dancing and would have liked to go to dances, they instead went to numerous softball games. The couple dated for six months before Neal asked Rita to marry him, but they didn’t marry till two and a half years later. They made their vows on February 1, 1964 in Hubbardston, Michigan and honeymooned in Washington state. Returning to Fowler, the newlyweds began their life together and soon were blessed with a family.

Neal and Rita welcomed five daughters into their lives, born between 1965 and 1975. Neal was delighted by each birth and celebrated those dates with special joy. It became his trademark to extend a birthday handshake with money hidden in his palm. To recognize his friends’ birthdays, Neal was known to call at 6 AM, when he would sing “Happy Birthday” over the phone. Needless to say, birthdays were significant for Neal because people were very important to him.

Neal sustained family fun and good friendships over the years. He wouldn’t miss meeting with his coffee group at Bruno’s Bar in St. Johns, Michigan, and he stayed in contact with friends through his membership in the Knights of Columbus and the V.F.W. Post #3733. Every year, the family vacationed in Mackinaw City and rented a cottage on Crystal Lake in Crystal, MI. When his daughters married, Neal’s life was enriched by their husbands, and among his many pleasures, he enjoyed making wine with his son-in-law, “Bobble.” When he became a grandfather, Neal had frequent opportunities to play a game he loved. Golf became more important to him over the last 20 years and he enjoyed playing with with his son-in-laws.

Over the years, Neal battled several ailments and underwent heart valve replacement surgery in 2004. Through it all, he never complained, and because he wanted to be at home, Rita became his faithful caregiver during his long illness.

Neal went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 29, 2010. He died at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan at the age of 72. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by the family he loved with all his heart.

Neal F. Snyder is survived by his dear wife Rita; their loving daughters, Michelle (Bob) Averill of Fowler, Kim (Joe) Goerge, Kelly Robbins, Vicki (Vince) Behovitz, all of Dewitt, and Kari (Jamie) Halfmann of Ada, sixteen loving grandchildren who were the light of his life, brother, Stan Snyder, sisters, Bernadine (Keith) Miller, Evelyn (Stan) Thelen, Karen (Gerry) Spitzley, Cindy (Jerome) Thelen, sister in law, Patricia Snyder, and many nieces and nephews. Neal was preceded in death by his parents, William and Leona and one brother, Clare Snyder.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Monday, August 2, 2010, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where Neal was a member, with Fr. Timothy MacDonald presiding. Burial to follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, 7-9 PM, with a rosary being prayed at 8 PM and Sunday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM, with a vigil service at 8 PM at the George Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 11112 W. Ionia, Fowler. Contributions may be made in memory of Neal to the family who in turn will make a donation to a charity of their choice.