Eunice D.K. Snyder, 94, of Red Bud, Illinois, was called to eternal rest on Monday, February 17, 2025.
She was born on June 26, 1930. Eunice was the ninth of twelve children to the late Theophilus J. and Bertha (nee Scheidt) Koch of Columbus, Indiana. Eunice was the last surviving child of TJ and Bertha Koch.
She became a Child of God through Holy Baptism and was confirmed in her faith on April 2, 1944, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Columbus, Indiana.
On August 7, 1955, she was united in marriage to her beloved husband, Ronald A. Snyder, who was a teacher (and later principal) at St. John’s Lutheran School in Red Bud, Illinois.
In their almost 62 years of marriage, they created a nurturing Christian home filled with love, faithfulness, spirited conversations, and laughter. God richly blessed their marriage with nine children, 22 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Euniceis survived by her loving children, Tim Snyder of Florissant, Missouri, Paula (Dean) Wiley of Red Bud, Joseph (Lori) Snyder of St.Charles, Missouri, Mark (Susan) Snyder of Lake Ozark, Missouri, David (Kim) Snyder of Red Bud, Illinois, Rachel (Randy) Miller of Red Bud, Illinois, and Mary (Eric) Schnelle of Lockwood, Missouri.
She is now celebrating in heaven with those who preceded her in death:her parents, TJ and Bertha; her husband, Ronald; her sons, James and Jonathan; her daughter-in-law, Kate (Tim) Snyder; and her siblings, Walter Koch, Julia LaSell, Maria Blomenberg, Joseph Koch, Ruth Sheldon, Anna Knuth, Lois Steiner, Martha Meinzen, Eva Clapp, Grace Koch, and Theodora “Teddy” Wallace.
Eunice was raised in a home full with prayer, music, and art. She had a beautiful alto voice and sang for decades in the sanctuary choir of St. John’s Lutheran Church and, for a time, in the community chorus.
As a child and teenager, Eunice was a bit of a tomboy with a love for playing sports, a passion she later shared with her husband and children. Family softball games on the church parking lot and shooting hoops on the garage basketball goal were quite common. She added the sports of tennis and golf to her repertoire during her marriage so that she and her husband, Ron, could participate together (in her spare time from raising eight children!). Her children’s lives were greatly enriched by these sports and many other family activities, including swimming, gardening, and camping.
As a loving wife, dedicated and nurturing mother, and grandmother, her top priority was providing for her children and raising them to love Jesus, have a good education, and have a loving and devoted relationship with the family. She took great pride in her children’s academic, musical, artistic, and athletic accomplishments, but more importantly, in their walk with Christ.
When her children entered school, Eunice worked as a receptionist/assistant for many years for Red Bud family doctors Dr. Robert Schettler and Dr. Ralph Kuhlman. Eunice had a gregarious personality and a robust laugh. She was an avid reader and was unafraid to share her thoughts and wishes with her children. When she is not quite sure if she agreed with one of her children’s opinions, she was inclined to say, “I don’t know about that?” which clearly communicated that she did indeed have an opinion and she may not agree.
One thing we do know for certain is that Eunice was a beloved child of God who is now resting in the warm embrace of her Lord and Savior in heaven.
Visitation:
Sunday – 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Red Bud, Illinois
Monday – 10:00 am – 11:00 am
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Red Bud, Illinois
Funeral Service:
11:00 am, Monday, February 24, 2025
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Red Bud, Illinois
Interment:
St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery
Red Bud, Illinois
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. John’s Lutheran School of Red Bud.