Lowell Thomas Snyder, Sr.

Lowell Thomas Snyder, Sr., 90, of Emlenton, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born in LaCrosse, WI, on February 23, 1935, to the late Charley and Rosemary (Johll) Snyder.

In Lowell’s early married years, he was first employed by the Milwaukee Railroad in LaCrosse, WI, but left to start a career as a salesman, selling everything from bibles to grave markers, to televisions, to Fuller Brushes across communities in southern Wisconsin. In his middle years, he continued as a salesman with Sears, Roebuck, and Company selling kitchen designs, and with Cove-Nu-Topps, selling medical cabinets and equipment. That grew into selling mobile homes for Detroiter Mobile Homes, a division of the National Gypsum Corporation (NGC). He moved his large family to Thief River Falls, MN, running his sales route into the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho, Washington state, Canada, and Alaska. His sales record was impressive, which brought about a move to Emlenton in 1970, where he was promoted as the general sales manager for an NGC start-up industry in Clarion, Clarion Mobile Homes. He was then promoted again to general plant manager. In his later years, and because of his past success and experience, was hired by the Clarion Hospital Board as the Director of Building Maintenance and then by Grove City Hospital in the same role. Following his formal “retirement”, he was hired by the Emlenton Area Municipal Authority Board to oversee the implementation of the new sewer collection and treatment system in the Emlenton area. The Clarion Borough also hired Lowell to oversee the upgrading of the municipal water system. Finally, at about the age of 75, he could enjoy a well-earned retirement.

Lowell showed he was a “kid-at-heart” by his interests and hobbies. He raised St. Bernards for about 10 years, training them to pull his children and grandchildren by cart and sled. His most impressive Saint, Great Shakes, was his pride and joy. He was an avid model railroader, probably sparked by his experiences with the railroad as a young man. He was a lifelong member of the National Model Railroad Association. He taught his children at a young age how to manage a canoe, then took them on overnight canoe trips down the Wisconsin River. Lowell enjoyed traveling and set about building an RV large enough to take his family with him. He first converted a retired Greyhound bus for just that purpose, and then a larger 40’ MCI for him and his wife to travel to nearly every state in the US. He was a member of FMCA – Family Motor Coach Association – even serving as the Converted Coach National President for a time. Finally, his faith and commitment to St. Michael’s Catholic Church was front and center in his life. He taught CCD classes and was an active and influential member of the Knights of Columbus.

Lowell is survived by his children: June Alice Sprout, Helen Louise Kilgore, Lowell Thomas Snyder, Jr., Leon Preston Snyder, Christina Marie Zychowski, and Bert Douglas Snyder. In addition, he is survived by 23 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth “Betty” Snyder, daughter Rozanna Beth Snyder, mother Rosemary Felt, and grandsons Seth Wike and Douglas Zychowski.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Emlenton on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The Knights of Columbus will lead the Rosary at 9:30 am. Visitation/viewing will follow with a funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 am. The gravesite Rite of Committal will be held in St. Michael Cemetery in Emlenton. Following the burial service, the Altar Rosary Society will serve members of the Snyder Family and friends in St. Michael’s church basement. Family members will then be hosted at the Snyder home for desserts and beverages after the luncheon.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home in Clarion, PA.

Thank you to Very Rev. David Foradori, Pastor; Deacon Nick Cirell; Grove Manor skilled nursing staff, Grove City, PA, and the St. Michael’s Altar Rosary Society.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Michael’s Altar Rosary Society. Friends and family may send online condolences, memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.