John P. Snyder
ISHPEMING, MI – John P. Snyder, on Saturday June 1, 2019, passed away a day short of age 99. He was living at Mill Creek Senior Living Community in Marquette. During the last weeks of his life, he was under the care of Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
John was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on June 2, 1920, son of the late Winnifred (Wallace) and Perry A. Snyder. He graduated High School in Cody, WY and met his future wife, Grace Kemp, at college in Billings, MT. They were united in marriage on April 11, 1942, in Corpus Christi, TX.
John joined the Navy in 1941. After completing flight training, he was a flight instructor in Pensacola, FL for two years. Later he flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat mainly from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Interesting to note that during Vietnam, his naval aviator son, Paul, landed on this same carrier. John earned two Distinguished Flying Cross Medals and an Air Medal and six gold stars. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he was employed by the state of Michigan as a conservation officer, serving in Crystal Falls and Norway, MI. He later served, in Marquette, as a pilot for the Department of Natural Resources. He retired in 1982. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. He was also a life member of the Lillian Larson, American Legion, Post #114 and the Martin J. Lassila, Ishpeming VFW, Post #4573. John, with his son at his side, was proud to have taken the Honor Flight from Madison, WI to visit Washington, DC in 2012.
Growing up on a ranch in Wyoming John learned to appreciate the beauty and challenges of living close to nature. He was at home with mountains, rivers, wildlife, storms and dangers. He taught his children to love a thunderstorm at an early age. Always ready for an adventure, he took each of his six of his grandsons on a fishing trip to Wyoming the summer they turned 13. In retirement, kayaking was his passion. He enjoyed many trips on area waterways and made lifetime friends in the process. His most challenging was a two-week trip with a friend on the north shore of Lake Superior from Marathon to Michipicoten.
John is survived by his daughter Winnie (Dick) Severson of Madison, WI; daughter-in-law Martha Snyder of Ontario, OR; 6 grandsons: Chris Snyder, Jeff (Nicole) Snyder, Rolf (Julie) Snyder, Sten Severson (Rebecca Bernstein), Kirk Severson (Shawna Cooper), and Gregg Severson (Kellie Hoyt); 8 great-grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews, and Irene Baldini his loving companion in his twilight years.
He was preceded in death by his wife Grace, son Paul and brother Bill Snyder.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the Christ the King Lutheran Church from 9:30AM – 11:00AM, on Saturday, June 29. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM with the Rev. DJ Thomsen officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Navy. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall.
Memorials may be directed to the Ishpeming Salvation Army, 222 E. Division St., Ishpeming, MI 49849 or to an organization of your choice in John’s memory.
John’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.