Leonard W. Snyder

Leonard W. Snyder, 93, of New Philadelphia, died Sunday, September 20, 2009 in Union Hospital at Dover.A son of the late Edward and Jessie (Vandersall) Snyder, Leonard was born May 14, 1916 at Canton, Ohio.Leonard was a 1934 graduate of McKinley High School at Canton, Ohio and then continued his education at the College of Wooster graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree.On December 19, 1941, He married the love of his life, the former Anne Carson. Together the couple reared three children, David, Laura and Susan. A few years later, Leonard was drafted into the United States Army and served as a 2nd Lieutenant during World War II.During his youth, Leonard was active in Boy Scouts and eventually attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Following his return from the war, he accepted a position with the McKinley Council of the Boy Scouts of America serving as a Field Executive for Tuscarawas County. Over the years, Leonard also was employed at Shenango Furnace, the Marlite Company and then retired as the Director of the Tuscarawas County Job & Family Service office.Leonard was the oldest living Past Master of the New Philadelphia Lodge #177 F. & A.M. where he had been a member for the past 60 years. In addition to being a Past Master, he served as the secretary of the lodge for 25 years and was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Canton for nearly 50 years. He was also a member of the Tuscarawas County Historical Society, which awarded him with the Heckewelder Award in 2001, The First Presbyterian Church at New Philadelphia and most recently a member of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia.He had a life long love of learning and enjoyed reading, especially about history and architecture, as well as listening to music. He was an avid woodworker and often times could be found in his woodshop making creations to share with family and friends. Leonard also traveled extensively, was a collector of stamps and coins, a faithful contributor to many charities and was proud patron of Little Theatre.Leonard loved his family and they will remember him for his wonderful sense of humor, for his ability to have a story or joke for any situation but most of all for his genuine respect for courage and honor.He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Anne (Carson) Snyder; three children, David (Millie) Snyder of Louisville, Ohio, Laura (Richard) Whinery of Chillicothe, Ohio and Susan Hamilton of New Philadelphia; five grandchildren, Ryan Snyder, Averi (David) Hudson, Megan (Brent) Stypczynski, Jada (Victor) Luna and Jelisa Hamilton; four great grandchildren; a sister, Jeanne Snopel of Canton and many other extended family members.Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Dawn Carlton and Ruth Cunningham.The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with the New Philadelphia Lodge #177 F. & A.M. holding services at 7 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Leonard’s life will be held Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Dr. Steven Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia where the New Philadelphia V.F.W. Post #1445 will render military honors. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.The family suggests contributions be made in Leonard’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1815 West Market Street, Suite 301, Akron, OH 44313 or to the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation, P.O. Box 308, Zoarville, OH 44656.