Lois Snyder

Lois Snyder, 93, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away on October 5, 2024, in North Manchester, Indiana. Born in Chicago, on October 2, 1931 to Daniel and Martha (Daggett) Horning, Lois lived in the Chicago area for 80 years; there she dedicated her life to raising her family, to Chicago’s First Church of the Brethren, to teaching children with learning disabilities, and to advocacy for women’s rights and interracial dialogue.

After graduating from Marshall High School (1949), Lois attended Manchester College (1953) in Indiana where she met Graydon Snyder whom she married on June 13, 1953 at the First Church of the Brethren in Chicago. They built a life together in Chicago until 2011 when they returned to North Manchester, Indiana to be part of their college community at Timbercrest retirement home.

Survivors include her three children Dr. Jonathan (Cindy Hall) Snyder of Park City, UT; Dr. Anna (Brian Rice) Snyder of Winnipeg, Canada; and Dr. Stephen (Angela Hamilton) Snyder of Vilnius, Lithuania. She was grandmother to Nathan Hall-Snyder, Michael Hall-Snyder, and Ulysses Snyder, and godmother to Atina (Moore) Feinhandler of Chicago, IL.

Lois and Graydon embarked on travel across the globe, exploring the religious and secular wonders of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Their travels not only broadened their horizons but also created cherished memories for their family and instilled in their children the value of travel and a global perspective.

As an educator, she enriched the lives of many as a dedicated teacher at District 300 in Carpentersville, Illinois, where she taught for 15 years. She continued her dedication to personal and academic growth with a MA in Education (1977) from the National College of Education.

Growing up in Chicago, Lois attended First Church of the Brethren in the 1930s. As the city changed and the inner-city church became racially and economically diverse, her dedication to the Church evolved into a lifetime of church leadership, education, and music as well as interracial dialogue. She will be remembered for her mission of nurturing the church neighborhood and advocating for its youth.

Lois’ passion for music began in church and developed through singing in choirs at Manchester. She shared her talents by leading worship singing and performing in church choirs. She also enjoyed opera and classical music and frequently attended the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

Lois had a legacy of advocacy for women and minorities; in addition to her leadership at the Church of the Brethren district and national levels, she was a proud member of the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters in Chicago, Illinois, showcasing her commitment to empowering and uplifting those around her. In 2006, Lois received the Greensfelder-Elam Award for her long-term dedication to the Chicago LVW.

Lois loved to laugh. A social person, she always wanted to talk to friends and loved joking. Appreciating harmless pranks, she laughed whether initiating or receiving them. It was the joy of the group that mattered to her.

After moving to North Manchester, Lois became a member of the North Manchester Church of the Brethren. At the church and at Timbercrest Senior Living, Lois sang in the choirs. Through music, her leadership in Seniors for Peace, and her love of gardening, she made many new and lasting friendships. After moving to Timbercrest, her grandson Ulysses referred to her as Grandma ‘Bigwheel’, named for the big wheel on the bell at the entrance circle.

Lois was predeceased by her parents Daniel Horning and Martha (Daggett) Horning and her husband of 63 years, Graydon Snyder, her brothers John Horning and Jim Horning, and her sister Miriam (Horning) Frantz.

A celebration of Lois’s life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the First Church of the Brethren, 3560 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, Illinois, for her Chicago friends and family. On Sunday, April 13, 2025 the Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana, will hold a celebration of Lois’s life, beginning at 2:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1:30.

For those who wish to honor the loving memory of Lois Horning Snyder, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Lois Snyder has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.