Meredith Irene (VanAntwerp) Snyder of Callaway, went to her heavenly home March 8, 2010 at the age of 96 years, one month and seven days. She was born to Major Ernest and Grace (Shoemaker) VanAntwerp Feb. 1, 1914, at Lodi, she was the second child of four girls. Irene attended school at the Lower Lodi School and Callaway School. Irene married Claude Harold Snyder in Lexington Sept. 11, 1931. They farmed north of Broken Bow for three years and later moved to Callaway, where Claude worked for several farmers. Two children were born to this union, Donna Rae and Kenneth Lee. They moved to the Morning Star area in 1955, and attended the Morning Star Church of which Irene taught Sunday school at several grade levels. She belonged to the Lower Lodi Women’s Club and the Morning Star Women’s Society for several years and when they moved to Callaway in 1974, she belonged to the Faith Circle and Women’s Club. She was a member of the United Methodist Church for over 50 years.
Irene enjoyed quilting, and quilted over 100 quilts for people, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She liked visiting with people and started being a news reporter in the late 1950s, and still typed the news for the Custer County Chief, Tri-City Tribune and the Callaway Courier up until she moved to the care home. Irene was awarded the Golden Pica Award for 50 years of service by the Press Association in April of 2005.
She was able to attend the majority of her great-grandchildren’s graduations and felt honored and thoroughly enjoyed these occasions.
After Claude’s death July 22, 1977, Irene worked at the café and babysat children. She also worked at the Callaway School from 1981 to 1991, as Assistant Librarian. She then started working at the Sprouse Memorial Library for almost three years and retired when she became 80.
Irene moved to the Grand Generation Manor in April 1999. Due to health reasons, she moved to the Good Samaritan Care Home in March 2008.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna (Charles) Myers of Callaway; daughter-in-law, Joeleen Snyder of McCook; seven grandchildren, Terry (Karen) Myers of Dayton, Wyo., Larry (Teresa) Myers of Holdrege, Sheryl (Kent) Myers of Gillette, Wyo., Karol (Dave) Young of Thedford, Rhonda (Dave) Pinkerton of Beatrice, Sharlyn (Jeff) Coleman of McCook and Alanna Eiland of Lincoln; 22 great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband Claude; son Kenneth Snyder; parents; three sisters, Pearl Tucker, Alice Kolbo and Marianne Richards. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Funeral Services will be March 15, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Callaway with the Rev. Jerry Schwarz officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway. Visitation will be March 14, 2010, from 2-5 p.m. at the Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway, Nebraska.
Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Senior Center or the Donor’s Choice. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.