- Date Of Birth: July 7, 1939
- Date Of Death: August 2, 2014
- State: Michigan
Thomas Allen Snyder, Sr., 75, of Edwardsburg, died peacefully, Saturday, August 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 February 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 twenty 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.
Family and friends will greatly miss Thomas. 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; twelve 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; twenty four 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.
