William N. Snyder Jr.

1924 - 05

William N. Snyder Jr., 87, of North Huntingdon, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, surrounded by family, at home. He was born May 3, 1924, in Irwin, a son of the late William N. Sr. and Louella M. (Beck) Snyder. He was a funeral director for 62 years owning and operating the third generation of service of William Snyder Funeral Home of Irwin, founded by his grandfather's uncle, and also operating Forgie-Snyder Funeral Home of East McKeesport, where he had been involved since the late 1960s. A member Norwin High School Class of 1942 and Castle Heights Military Academy, Class of 1943, he was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, having served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations for 14 months. He was the oldest living past commander of J. Howard Snyder VFW Post 781 and was a life member of S. James Keister American Legion Post 359. Along with local clergy and businessmen, he organized a Wednesday Men's Prayer Fellowship in the early 1970s that is still an active organization today. He was an elder of First Presbyterian Church, Irwin, a two-time past president of Norwin Rotary and a member of Irwin Lions. Surviving are his loving wife of more than 65 years, Elizabeth C. (Shaw) Snyder; children, Kathleen A. Paskus and Cynthia L. Snyder (Maria Arguelles), both of Irwin, Suzanne E. (Skip) Paul, of East McKeesport, Melissa J. Smith (Drew Allenbaugh), Ellen C. (Rick) Morrison and William R. (Dawn) Snyder, all of Irwin, Holly J. (Larry Howell) Snyder, of West Newton, and Thomas N. (Denise) Snyder, of North Huntingdon; grandchildren, Laura Diller, Megan (Bob) Dandar, Emily Paskus, Aaron Morrison, Jason Paskus, Lindsey Vojtko, Katlyn (Brian) Watkins, and Courtney, J.W., Jessica, Nathan and Abigail Snyder; seven great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and cousins. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, 724-863-1200. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman officiating. Those who are attending and have visited the funeral home, please go directly to the church. Interment will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery. VFW Post 781 and American Legion Post 359 will hold services at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. The family would like to acknowledge how grateful we are for the kind, gentle and professional care given by Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Viaquest Hospice and all the personal caregivers. Those wishing may contribute to the Salvation Army, Irwin Service Unit Kettle Fund, 617 Main St., Irwin, PA 15642.