Claris Ruth Snyder

Claris Ruth Snyder, age 95, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died Saturday, September 23, 2017, surrounded by her family, at Mackinac Straits Hospital. She was born August 17, 1922 in St. Ignace to Harry and Louise (Miner) Kalbfleisch. Claris grew up in St. Ignace and graduated from LaSalle High School in 1940. After high school she married Warren Snyder on December 27, 1940, and they started their family in St. Ignace. Warren worked for several years on the State Ferry Boats and then he and Claris bought and operated Warren’s The People’s Store. They operated the store until Warren’s health failed in the 1970’s. Warren died in 1978 and Claris continued to work for several other retail stores in St. Ignace until she retired in the early 2000’s. Claris was a member of the United Methodist Church where she served as organist for more than thirty five years. She also played at all of the local churches for weddings, funerals, and special events. Claris was an avid golfer and bowler and liked to grow plants in her home, especially poinsettias. In her retirement years, she enjoyed spending time with her family at the cottage on Brevort Lake and played weekly card games with her lady friends and volunteered wherever needed. Claris is survived by her daughters, Sharron (Larry) Lasley and Faye Belonga; sons, Brian (Sandy) Snyder and Brent (Wendy) Snyder all of St. Ignace. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Dan Lasley, Donna (Willie) LaLonde, Lara (Mike) Gustafson, Lynn (Marty) Baughman, Jim (Pam) Belonga, Corrie Lowetz, Sherri (Scott) Grenke, Lauren (Casey) Morningstar, Landon (Ashley) Snyder, and Tyler Snyder. She is further survived by twenty four great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Claris was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law, James Belonga; grandsons, John Paul Brown and Mitchell Snyder; twin brother, Clair Kalbfleisch; brothers, Selden Kalbfleisch and Floyd Kalbfleisch; and sisters, Verna Miles and Zona Pierson. Services will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2017, beginning with public visitation from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. followed by the funeral service at 1:00 P.M. all at the United Methodist Church, 615 W. I-75 Business Loop, St Ignace. Pastor Susie Hierholzer will be conducting the service. Claris’s grandchildren will be serving as pall bearers. Claris’s final resting place will be in Gros Cap Cemetery. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Claris Ruth Snyder

August 17, 1922 - September 23, 2017