06/02/2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Clayton Craig Snyder, Jr. He is a beloved Board Member who for over forty years was one of your biggest supporters!
Please join us as we lift our prayers, thoughts and hearts to his wife Elise and his entire family during this time of remembrance and reflection!
He will be surely missed.
Here is his obituary:
Clayton Snyder Obituary
Clayton Craig Snyder, Jr., 80, of Punxsutawney, passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at home with his loving family by his side.
He was born in Pittsburgh on February 28, 1945, a son of the late Clayton Craig Snyder, Sr. and Ceceilia (Pistorius) Snyder.
Following his graduation in 1963, Clayton went to the United States Marine Corps and honorably served two tours in the Vietnam War as a Field radio operator.
On April 20, 1968, he married the love of his life, Elsie Eileen McGee. They enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage and raised a loving family.
When he was discharged from the Marines, he was self employed in the construction business. He found his true calling in the banking industry, his career spanned many changes in ownership from Keystone Bank, Integra Bank and PNC, before joining Marion Center Bank, from which he retired in 2014.
Clayton leaves behind a legacy of service, compassion and quiet strength. He was a tireless community volunteer, he was a valued member of Chamber of Commerce, where he served as treasurer and on the Board of Directors, and he was also a member of Punxsutawney Rotary. Clayton was a passionate supporter of youth programs and served as Cub Master for Boy Scouts and was on the Executive Committee of Boy Scouts of America Bucktail Council. He was also active in the Little League, Minor League, and Teener League. Clay was a firefighter with Lindsey Station and helped establish a scuba rescue team.
One of his greatest passions was for the Jefferson County Ambulance service. With over forty years in active board participation, Clay believed in not only supporting the mission of the organization, but also ensuring support of the dedicated employees.
Woodworking became his passion after retirement, he made beautiful products out of wood and sold them locally, at craft shows, and even internationally.
Life’s greatest joy and source of pride for Clay was his children and grandchildren. Clay would travel to multiple states to watch the soccer games, cross country meets, and football games of his grandchildren. Clay was always sure to be their biggest cheerleader. Additionally, he loved nothing more than teaching his grandchildren to fish. Clay was happiest listening to any story his grandchildren would share with him, and he would never end a conversation without expressing his great love and pride for his family.
In addition to his wife Elsie, he is survived by two children, Jodi Elizabeth (Joe) Despoy of Valparaiso, Indiana and John Paul (Tawnya) Snyder of Punxsutawney; five grandchildren, Alyssa (Adam) Clindaniel, Joseph John Despoy IV and Blaise Dylan Despoy, all of Valparaiso and Kenadee Renee Snyder and Grady Paul Snyder, and was looking forward to the birth the first great-grandchild in August; also survived by one brother, Michael (Donna) Snyder Punxsutawney; one sister, Mary Lou (Thomas) Brown of Punxsutawney; one sister in-law, Ethel Davis of Punxsutawney.
Preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Victoria Snyder.
Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, and from 9 a.m until 10:30 Friday at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church, celebrated by Monsignor Joseph Riccardo.
Interment will follow at Old Ebenezer Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the Jefferson County Honor Guard.
Memorial donations may be made in Clayton’s memory to the Jefferson County EMS scholarship fund.
