Denis Eugene Snyder, loving husband of Mary Katherine Snyder, died Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at Olivia Village, Bald Eagle, PA. Denis was born May 26, 1918, in Orbisonia, PA, the son of the late Cecil and Florence Walls Snyder. He married his beloved wife “Kay” of 62 years on December 28, 1945.
A graduate of Tyrone Area High School, and Shippensburg State Teachers College, Denis taught at Alder Run Orchard, Northwood Elementary, Ironsville Elementary and the 18th Street Schools. He was drafted from his classroom into the U.S. Infantry’s 43rd Division and served in the South Pacific during World War II, where he received two Purple Hearts for wounds received in combat.
After WW II, he returned to teaching and to further studies at Juniata College. He also worked as an assistant purchasing agent at Westvaco and in advertising at the Altoona Mirror. With his wife and family he founded and operated the Bald Eagle Campsite for almost forty years. He served as President of the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association and later as President of the National Campground Owners Association.
A founding member of the Lion’s Club, The Oak Ridge Water Authority, The Westvaco Glee Club, he also served as secretary for the Tyrone Elks Club. Denis was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd. A life-long writer and artist, Denis created the artwork honoring Will Rodgers in the 1936 Falcon yearbook and compiled a “History of the Village of Bald Eagle”, and a soldier’s perspective, “From Tyrone to Tokyo: Letters to Mother”. An avid outdoorsman, he shared that love with his family.
Denis is survived by his wife Katherine, a resident of Olivia Village, Bald Eagle, his brother Cecil K. Snyder, Jr. and his wife Joyce of Riverside, CA, his five children: Hope (Snyder) and Allan Martin, Clearfield, Michael Robert Snyder, Bald Eagle, Linda Snyder and Janet McKenna, Bald Eagle, Priscilla (Snyder) and Peter Fias, Lancaster, and Denis E. Snyder, Jr. and Denise, Lancaster, and grandchildren: James Albright, Robin Cushion, Faith Wilcox, Tim Albright, Jonathan Snyder, Stephen Snyder, Emily, Alexis, and Erin McKenna, Tiffany Tatar, Katherine Fias, Casey and Mallory Snyder, Chad Ressel, along with great-grandchildren: Tannis, Sierra, Lindsey, and Travis Albright, George, Christopher, and Lydia Roman, Nicholas and Katelyn Cushion, Brandon Albright and Conner Snyder. Denis was preceded in death by his grandson Michael Snyder.
A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family with Rev. Norman E. Huff officiating. Flag presentation will be by members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to the American Red Cross, Blair County Chapter, 4100 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601.
Arrangements are by the Derman Funeral Home, Inc., Tyrone, PA.
