JOHN R. SNYDER

John Snyder

John R. Snyder, 72, of Rushville died at 7:24 p.m., June 15, 2014, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.

He was born Jan. 1, 1942, in Macomb, a son of Irwin and Helen Vaughn Snyder. He married Dianne Busen on July 22, 1967, in Mount Sterling. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Aaron Snyder and Gregg Snyder, both of Rushville; and one brother, Vaughn (and Janet) Snyder of Vestavia Hills.

John grew up in Hersman on the family farm and worked with his father at Hersman Trading Post, and was a 1960 graduate of Brown County High School. He went on to Culver-Stockton College, where he played football. He later attended Parson’s College, where he was a member of the parachute team.

He enlisted with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Ft. Rucker, where he earned his pilot’s license and air traffic controller certification. He was a member of the select Golden Knights parachute team. He participated in many demonstrations and competitions both domestically and internationally. He logged over 2,000 jumps and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for breaking many parachuting records. He participated in the Military Olympics in Spain in 1968. He earned pilots licenses from Emery Riddle University in Atlanta for commercial multi-engine and instrumental ratings.

After his military service, he worked in insurance sales and management in St. Louis, before being recruited by his mother to run the family business of Snyder’s Vaughn-Haven Nursing Home in Rushville in 1973. He became owner and administrator working until his death. He also was a licensed plumber, electrician and HVAC technician and had many other business interests.

He was a member of many pilot and flying associations and founding member of Rushville Flying Club. A board member and past president of Illinois Health Care Association and board member of American Health Care Association, cofounder of Illinois Nursing Home Administrators Association. He also was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rushville, Rushville Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M #9, Quincy Consistory and Ansar Shrine. He was a member of Schuyler American Legion Post #4, 40 et 8.

He coached and supported Rushville Little League and flag football.

A Celebration of Life Service was held Friday at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rushville with reverends John Sowers and Gary Bass officiating. Burial followed in Rushville City Cemetery with military rites by U.S. Army Burial Detail and Schuyler American Legion Post #4. Masonic rites were performed by Rushville Masonic Lodge #9. Wood Funeral Home and Worthington Funeral Home, both in Rushville, were in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Schuyler County Humane Society or Culbertson Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 6/25/2014