Collection PNMSS/I-17 - Chris Snyder Papers

Snyder. - Christian, son of the late Christian and Mary Snyder, was born near Freeport, Ill., April 4, 1870; departed this life at Canby, Oreg., March 10, 1948; aged 77 y. 11 m. 6 d. He was the youngest and the last surviving member of a family of ten children. Death resulted from a heart attack. In 1884 he moved with his widowed mother and family to Ayr, Nebr. On Dec. 24, 1890, at Hastings, Nebr., he was married to Jessie May Easter, who passed away Feb. 12, 1893. To this union were born 3 daughters (twins: Elsie Blanche - deceased - and Alta Blanche; and Verna Ruth). On Jan. 9, 1896, he was united in marriage to Nancy Elizabeth Shupe, Peabody, Kans., who passed away at Canby, Oreg., in 1930. To this union were born 2 daughters and 6 sons. Surviving are 4 daughters (Alta - Mrs. Walter V. Gingerich, Canby, Oreg.; Verna - Mrs. Frank M. Shank, Hubbard, Oreg.; Anna, Reedley, Calif.; Matilda - Mrs. Omar G. Miller, Canby), 5 sons (Menno, Hammet, Idaho; Albert, Canby, Oreg.; John, Goshen, Ind.; Paul, and Allen, Canby), 32 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. One son (George) predeceased him in 1923. After the death of his wife he maintained his home with his daughter (Anna) and one son (Allen) for a period of thirteen years, after which he lived in the home of another daughter (Matilda) until death. He was baptized and received into the Roseland, Nebr., Mennonite Church by Albrecht Schiffler on Aug. 25, 1892; and on Sept. 25, 1902, the same bishop ordained him to office of deacon in the Roseland congregation, where he served until October, 1913. During the following years he with his family moved a number of times to new localities, always, however, keeping in touch with the church and taking an active part in the same. After leaving Nebraska he served in the office of deacon in the congregations at Filer, Idaho; Duchess, Alta.; the Mountain View congregation, near Creston, Mont.; and finally in the Bethel congregation, near Canby, Ore., where he had been for the past twenty-seven and one-half years. During the years of his church affiliation he was much interested in conference and mission board activities, first in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference and later in the Pacific Coast district. In the former, he was treasurer of the mission board for a number of years, and in the latter served as president of the mission board for a term of twenty-three years. He has a perfect record of attendance at the meetings of this board since the time of becoming president in 1921, the last occasion being on Saturday preceding his decease on Wednesday. During the last few days sickness he expressed satisfaction in having been present at this meeting of the board, which proved to be his last. He was also interested in the singing of the church, particularly in his younger years of being active in song leading and the promotion of singing classes and song programs. His life was characterized by devotion and faithfulness in whatever he considered his duty, not stopping short because of personal sacrifice. He considered the Scriptures a complete guide to the Christian life, its precepts and principles being practical and effective in any age and in any situation, and endeavored always to determine the course of his service by the same. The deep desires of his heart were to be faithful to the church of his choice and to know that his children were walking in the Truth. The Christian influence and teaching of his home are sincerely appreciated by his children. Funeral services were held March 14, in charge of F. J. Gingerich. E. S. Garber preached the sermon. Text: II Cor. 5:1. Burial was made in the Hopewell Mennonite Cemetery, Hubbard, Oreg.