ELKHART — James W. "Jim" Snyder, 59, of Elkhart, passed away at 5:47 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2014, at Elkhart General Hospital following a sudden illness.

He was born in Elkhart on Jan. 5, 1955, to the late Ralph and S. Germaine (Bohon) Snyder. On Dec. 4, 1976, he married Cathy A. Rink in Elkhart. She survives at home.

Also surviving are his sons, Chris (Karen), James (Sarah) and Ryan (Haley) Snyder, all of Elkhart, and his grandchildren, Kearra, Israel, Avery, Reagan, Taryn, Madison, Mason and Briella Snyder, also all from Elkhart.

A brother, Bruce Snyder, preceded Jim in death.

A celebration of Jim's life will begin with a viewing from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart. A funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. Chaplain Jim Bontrager of the Elkhart Police Department will officiate. Entombment will take place in Chapel of Hope Mausoleum, Rice Cemetery at a later date.

Jim was a graduate of Vincennes University and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He started out working in the van conversion business, but most recently had been employed as a corrections officer at Westville Correctional Facility in Westville for several years.

Memorial donations may be given to the family in care of Cathy. Online condolences can also reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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