CASSOPOLIS, Mich. -- Jill Ann Snyder, 43, of 23770 Hospital St., Cassopolis, formerly of Shavehead Lake, Cassopolis, and South Haven, died Friday (March 7, 2008) after a 25-year battle with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Jill was born Jan. 23, 1965, in Elkhart, Ind., to Phillip and Patricia Snyder.

Surviving are her parents, Phil (Nancy) Snyder of Englewood, Fla., and Patricia (Michael) Raab of Cassopolis; sisters, Jennifer (Richard) Horne of Edwardsburg and Sheila Mann and Debra Raab, both of Mishawaka, Ind.; brothers, Daryl Snyder and Cameron (Suzanne) Snyder, both of Elkhart, and Jeffrey Snyder of Cassopolis; grandmothers, Lillian Walters and Lena Papa, both of Elkhart; and Jill's special friend, Greg Carey of Cassopolis. Several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephew survive as well.

Jill was preceded in death by her grandmother, Thelma Miller, and grandfathers, Patsy Papa and Donald Snyder.

Jill was a 1983 graduate of Edwardsburg High School and attended Southwestern Michigan College while working as a home health aide. She also worked as an aide in various area nursing homes until she was no longer physically able. Jill's goal very young in life was to become a geriatric nurse, which in a way she realized by giving emotional and spiritual care to her fellow residents while living in the Cass County Medical Care Facility for the last 21/2 years. Jill was the unofficial greeter of new residents and gave good cheer and encouragement to all her fellow residents.

Jill loved all cats and dogs, while Newfoundlands and Bouvier des Flandres held a special place in her heart. Jill enjoyed making jewelry and loved listening to all kinds of music and poetry. Jill also collected angels and rocks brought to her from around the world by her friends and family. Jill was an avid Notre Dame and San Francisco Giants fan.

Please join with the family for a time of visitation and remembrance of Jill from 4 to 7 p.m. today, March 11, at New Hope United Methodist Church, 28765 C.R. 4 in Elkhart. A service to celebrate her life will follow at 7 p.m. Pastor Lee Campbell of New Hope United Methodist Church and Chaplin Johnny Groda of IN-House Hospice Solutions will officiate. Private family burial will take place Wednesday at Adamsville Cemetery.

To share a memory of Jill or send a condolence please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com, which is entrusted with Jill's arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Woodlands Behavioral Health Care, 960 M-60 E., Cassopolis, MI 49031; Cass County Animal Control, 323 M-62 N., Cassopolis, MI 49031; or IN-House Hospice Solutions, 5360 Holiday Terrace Suite 24, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

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