SR1349 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1349 LRB098 21837 MST 60694 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John R. Snyder of Rushville, who passed away on June 15, 2014; and

WHEREAS, John Snyder was born in Macomb on January 1, 1942 to Irwin and Helen (nee Vaughn) Snyder; he grew up in Hersman and graduated from Brown County High School in 1960; he attended Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he played football, and later attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, where he was a member of the parachute team; he married Dianne Busen on July 22, 1967 at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mount Sterling; and

WHEREAS, John Snyder enlisted with the United States Army during the Vietnam War; he was stationed at Fort Rucker where he earned his pilot's license and air traffic controller certification; he was a member of the select Golden Knights parachute team and participated in many demonstrations and competitions both domestically and internationally; he logged over 2,000 jumps and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for breaking many parachuting records and he participated in the Military Olympics in Spain in 1968; he earned his pilot's licenses from Emery Riddle University in Atlanta, Georgia for commercial multi-engine and instrumental ratings; and

WHEREAS, After his military service, John Snyder worked in insurance sales and management in St. Louis, before being recruited by his mother to run the family business of Snyder's Vaughn-Haven Nursing Home in Rushville in 1973; he became owner and administrator, working until his death; he was also a licensed plumber, electrician, and HVAC technician and had many other business interests; and

WHEREAS, John Snyder was a member of many pilot and flying associations, founding member of the Rushville Flying Club, board member and past president of the Illinois Health Care Association, board member of the American Health Care Association, and co-founder of the Illinois Nursing Home Administrators Association; he was also a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rushville, the Rushville Masonic Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 9, the Quincy Consistory and the Ansar Shrine, and the Schuyler American Legion Post 4, 40 et 8; for many years, he coached and supported Rushville Little League and flag football; he enjoyed flying, playing golf, and working; and

WHEREAS, John Snyder was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, John Snyder is survived by his wife, Dianne; 2 sons, Aaron Snyder and Gregg Snyder; one brother, Vaughn Snyder and wife, Janet; his mother-in-law, Louise Busen; and several nephews and their wives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John R. Snyder, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Snyder as an expression of our deepest sympathy.