ELKHART -- Albert Eugene "Al" Snell, 79, of Northland Crossing Drive, died at 1:34 p.m. Monday (Nov. 17, 2008) in Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born May 12, 1929, in Elkhart to Walter F. and Blanche (Upp) Snell. On Nov. 28, 1981, he married Deborah S. Daum in Elkhart.

She survives along with three sons, James E. (Barbara) Snell and Richard A. (Marilou) Snell, both of Elkhart, and David W. (Laura) Snell of Edwardsburg, Mich.; one daughter, Linda S. (Dean) Yoder of Elkhart; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Catherine Burt and Doris (Thomas) Johnston, both of Sacramento, Calif., and Margaret Richards of Osceola.

A brother, Walter F. "Pete" Snell Jr., preceded him in death.

Mr. Snell retired from the Elkhart Police Department in 1981 after 20 years of service; he attained the rank of captain. He will be remembered as an avid sportsman and athlete, and was active in many local basketball and fast-pitch softball leagues. In the late 1960s, he helped organize the FOP-sponsored Little League team.

Besides being a Chicago Bears, Cubs and Notre Dame fan, he was an outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt, play golf and hunt mushrooms. He was a member of the local FOP, of which he served as secretary for many years. Mr. Snell loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to Friday's 11 a.m. funeral service at the funeral home. Pastor Scott Turskey of Winding Waters Brethren Church, Elkhart, a chaplain with the Elkhart Police Department, will officiate. Burial will follow in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart, where police department honors will be rendered.

Memorials may be given to the Elkhart Police Department Fraternal Order of Police or the Humane Society of Elkhart County. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.