Donald Snyder Donald Lee Snyder, 78, of Pickford, died Saturday, December 19, 2009, at War Memorial Hos - pital in Sault Ste. Marie.

He was born July 26, 1931, in Grand Rapids to Carson Parks and Lillian (nee Miel) Snyder.

Mr. Snyder grew up in Grand Rapids, was graduated from Creston High School, and attended Hillsdale College. He served as a radar operator in the United States Air Force for four years during the Korean War, and was twice decorated for his service. He then returned to Grand Rapids and began working for Michigan Bell.

He married Patricia Ann Slattery September 7, 1963, in Grand Rapids. He then transferred to Farmington Hills with Michigan Bell. After his wife died, he moved to Pickford.

Mr. Snyder was a member of Sault Ste. Marie VFW Post 3676, American Legion Post 3, Elks Lodge 552, Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Audubon Society.

He enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, watching NASCAR, dining at restaurants, golfing, and boating. Mr. Snyder enjoyed watching the wildlife surrounding his home, and made a pet of a wild squirrel, “Skeezix,” that often came into his kitchen for meals.

He is survived by one daughter, Annemarie Snyder of Pontiac; one son and his family, Timothy and Maria Snyder of Farmington Hills; two grandchildren, Nicole Snyder and Mauricio Eckholt; and one great-grandson, Luke Eckholt. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Suzanne Bailey of Cen terville, Ohio; 22 nieces and nephews, and friends, Kathy and Ron Maleport of Sault Ste. Marie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia; a brother, Jack Snyder, and a sister, Elizabeth Turner.

Services will be Saturday, January 9, at noon in the chapel at Resurrection Cemetery in Wy - oming, Michigan.

Memorials may be directed to the Pickford Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 456, Pickford, Michigan 49774; Chippewa County Animal Shelter, 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783; or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue in New York, New York 10065.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.