July 7, 1939 — Aug. 2, 2014

Thomas Allen Snyder, Sr., 75, of Edwardsburg, died peacefully, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, in his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

Thomas was born July 7, 1939, in Benton Township, Michigan to Garrett and Helen (Wolford) Snyder, Sr. He married Sarah Jane Bates Feb. 23, 1957, in Cassopolis, Michigan. She survives. He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Mark Stephen Bulmon, two brothers, Bobby Joe Snyder, Garrett L. Snyder, Jr; one son in law, Roy Strong, and one brother in law, Hank Preis, Sr.

Tom worked in contracting for most of his life. He was the creator and owner of Snyder’s Seamless Gutters in Dowagiac for 20 years.

Tom was passionate of Western movies, NASCAR, and going to the casino, and when he was able, to travel. He was seriously interested in animals and their welfare. He loved his neighbors. Tom always had a joke. His greatest joy was his love for his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, his siblings and his extended family.

Thomas will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of over fifty seven years, Sarah (Bates) Snyder of Edwardsburg; three daughters, Vicky Strong of Edwardsburg, Debbie (Dennis) Bidwell of Kendallville, Indiana, Sheryl Snyder of Edwardsburg; one son, Thomas (Donna) Snyder, Jr. of Hartford, Michigan; 12 grandchildren, Nicholas (Amber) Fryman of Decatur, Sara (Jeremy) Macon of Paw Paw, Beth (David) Marshall of Kalamazoo, Matthew (Lindy) Snyder of Greenville, Kari Hayes of Dowagiac, Marti Snyder of Decatur, Paige Behnke of Dowagiac, Amy Behnke of Kalamazoo, Sergeant Benjamin Behnke of Fort Hood, Texas, Stephanie (Matt) Wares of Hartford, Michael Hemenway of Elkhart, Indiana, Chloe Hemenway of Edwardsburg; 24 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Joyce Preis of Dowagiac, Carolyn (Ben) Sherman of Kalamazoo, Sharon (Donald) Paulsen of Cassopolis, Pat Stratton of Cadillac; one brother, John “Jack” (Hazel) Snyder of Niles; one sister in law, Vivian Snyder of Cassopolis; two brothers-in-law, Danny (LouAnne) Bates of Cassopolis, Robert Kern of Mountain View, Idaho; a host of nieces and nephews; and his faithful companion, Frankie, the Pooch.

Family and friends will gather Wednesday, August 6, 2014, from 4 until 8 p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis. Funeral services will be Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Snyder will be laid to rest in Hamilton Township Cemetery, Decatur.

The family is especially grateful to Doctors Navari and Parks of Cancer Care Partners of Mishawaka, Indiana, and Tara, Lisa, and Amber of Southern Care Hospice.

The family prefers memorials in Thomas’ name be made to Southern Care Hospice, 1911 West Centre Avenue, Suite 1, Portage, Michigan 49024, or, Cass County Humane Society, 323 M 62, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.