Leon Snyder

Leon Snyder, age 95, of Gladstone, passed away on Monday evening, January 25, 2021.

Leon was born December 11, 1925, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Wayne and Nathalie (Narewski) Snyder. Leon was placed in foster care at the age of 4 and was taken in by George and Mary Aker. When he was 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as 3rd class electrician, and was the youngest member of the crew on board the USS Pringle DD477 Destroyer. On April 16, 1945, his ship was attacked and sunk, and he survived in the ocean for 3 days amidst enemy fire and circling sharks. He later received the Purple Heart award. Leon made his home in Milwaukee and worked for Allis Chalmers. He met and married his wife, Charlotte, and together they raised their 5 children. Leon and Charlotte spent 55 years making wonderful memories. He retired after 35 years and they moved to the U.P. Leon spent his last years involved in church, gardenings, veterans’ groups, playing the harmonica, and hunting. Leon was very grateful for being chosen the first year that the Honor Flight took place, and he was also honored in the Daily Press in Nov. 1999, Nov. 11, 2014, Jan. 5, 2016, and June 7, 2017, and even on the news, https://youtu.be/iAWDgLW-SKQ. Leon spent his last years cared for by family, and passed with loving family at home. He will be deeply missed by so many.

Leon is survived by his five children, Scott (Karen) Snyder, Pamela Thull, Brian (Terese) Snyder, Amelia-Molly (Jerry) Gardner, and Jodi (John Gagne) Snyder, and grandchildren: Christina (Bart) Ziegler, Daniel King, Philip King,
Mark (Rebekah) Snyder, David (Samantha) Snyder, Elizabeth (Joe) Tepp, Joe Snyder, Dan Casey, Elisheva (Dan) Ben-Havo, Ben (Megan) Snyder, Charles Snyder, Josiah Snyder, Jacqueline (Michael) Van Hemert, Joshua (Taylor) Gardner, Kathryn Gardner, Samuel (Lauren) Gardner, Malachi Gardner, Meaghan McKeever, Gabriel McKeever, Kyle Sjoholm, Alyssa Gagne, Austin Gagne, and Alden Gagne and great grandchildren: Elizabeth Zinda, Charlie Snyder, Jack Snyder, Sam Snyder, Oliver Snyder, Lincoln Tepp, Eden Tepp, Everly Tepp, Sawyer Snyder, Caleb Ruehs, Sam Ruehs, Asher Ruehs, Amelia-Mia Van Hemert, Leopold Van Hemert, and Abby Sjoholm.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Charlotte Snyder.

The Snyder family will receive friends on Saturday, February 6th, from 10:00 AM to noon at the Grace Baptist Church in Gladstone with funeral services honoring Leon following visiting at noon officiated by Pastor Dave Hanson. Military Rites will be held at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone also on February 6th, at 3:30 PM with the Gladstone and Rapid River American Legion Posts. Leon will be laid to rest in Perkins Cemetery in the spring.

The wearing of masks and practicing social distancing is greatly appreciated. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Snyder family.