Richard W. Snyder

July 18, 1921-March 16, 2011

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Richard W. Snyder, 89, died Wednesday (March 16, 2011), at his home.

He was born July 18, 1921, in Arapahoe to Hervey W. and Kathryn (Mayer) Snyder. He attended rural school in Gosper County, Nebraska and graduated from Arapahoe High School with the Class of 1939. He was employed at Williams Brothers in Arapahoe after graduation.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August of 1942. He was wounded in action in Germany in March of 1945 and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. Following his return to the states, he was hospitalized until his discharge in January of 1948.

On Dec. 28, 1946, he married Doris Holloway at St. Germanus Catholic Church in Arapahoe during a military leave from William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas. After his discharge, they returned to Arapahoe to make their home.

He ran the Minneapolis Moline machinery business in Arapahoe until his appointment as rural mail carrier in 1959. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in January of 1987.

He was a member of St. Germanus Catholic Church, Lion's Club, American Legion Post No. 96, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Arapahoe and the Disabled American Veterans Organization.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris Snyder; sisters, Mary Jane Lawson, Marion Hanson and Margaret Ann Johnston; brother Robert Snyder; and brothers-in-law, Robert Lawson and Ned Johnston Sr.

He is survived by his sons, Philip Snyder of Omaha, Nebraska, and Tom and wife, Janice Snyder of Monroe, Louisiana; daughter, Kim and husband, Bill Dawson of Edison, Nebraska; four granddaughters; and one great-grandson.

Funeral Mass is Monday, 10:30 a.m., at St. Germanus Catholic Church in Arapahoe with the Rev. Robert Barnhill officiating. Burial is at the Arapahoe Cemetery with military rites by the Arapahoe American Legion Post No. 96.

Rosary is Sunday, 7:30 p.m., at St. Germanus Catholic Church in Arapahoe.

Viewing and visitation is Saturday, 1-8 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m., at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe and prior to the service at the church.

Condolences or personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com.

Memorials are suggested to Asera Care Hospice.

Wenburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.