Meredith Irene (VanAntwerp) Snyder

Meredith Irene (VanAntwerp) Snyder of Callaway, Nebraska went to her heavenly home on March 8, 2010 at the age of 96 years, one month and seven days. She was born to Major Ernest and Grace (Shoemaker) VanAntwerp on February 1, 1914, at Lodi, Nebraska; she was the second child of 4 girls. Irene attended school at the Lower Lodi School and Callaway School. Irene married Claude Harold Snyder in Lexington September 11, 1931. They farmed north of Broken Bow for three years and later moved to Callaway, where Claude worked for several farmers. Two children were born to this union, Donna Rae and Kenneth Lee. They moved to the Morning Star area in 1955 and attended the Morning Star Church of which Irene taught Sunday school at several grade levels. She belonged to the Lower Lodi Women’s Club and the Morning Star Women’s Society for several years and when they moved to Callaway in 1974, she belonged to the Faith Circle and Women’s Club. She was a member of the United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Irene enjoyed quilting, and quilted over 100 quilts for people, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She liked visiting with people and started being a news reporter in the late 1950’s and still typed the news for the Custer County Chief, Tri-City Tribune and the Callaway Courier up until she moved to the care home. Irene was awarded the Golden Pica Award for 50 years of service by the Press Association in April of 2005. She was able to attend the majority of her great-grandchildren’s graduations and felt honored and thoroughly enjoyed these occasions. After Claude’s death on July 22, 1977, Irene worked at the café and babysat children. She also worked at the Callaway School from 1981 to 1991 as Assistant Librarian. She then started working at the Sprouse Memorial Library for almost three years and retired when she became 80. Irene moved to the Grand Generation Manor in April 1999. Due to health reasons, she moved to the Good Samaritan Care Home in March 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Donna (Charles) Myers of Callaway, daughter-in-law Joeleen Snyder of McCook, Nebraska; 7 grandchildren, Terry (Karen) Myers of Dayton, Wyoming, Larry (Teresa) Myers of Holdrege, Nebraska, Sheryl (Kent) Levi of Gillette, Wyoming, Karol (Dave) Young of Thedford, Nebraska, Rhonda (Dave) Pinkerton of Beatrice, Nebraska, Sharlyn (Jeff) Coleman of McCook, Nebraska and Alanna Eiland of Lincoln, Nebraska; 22 great-grandchildren, 2 step great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Irene was preceded in death by her husband Claude, son Kenneth Snyder, parents, 3 sisters: Pearl Tucker, Alice Kolbo and Marianne Richards. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Funeral Services will be Monday, March 15, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Callaway, Nebraska with Reverend Jerry Schwarz officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 14, 2010, from 2-5 p.m. at the Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Senior Center or the Donor’s Choice. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.