Donald Lee Snyder, Sr.

Donald Lee Snyder, Sr., passed away surrounded by family (and the music of Kenny G) on May 26th, 2022, after bravely battling a GBM brain tumor. He was strong and managed to keep his wonderful sense of humor even to the bitter end. Born in 1938, he grew up on the family farm in Gosport, Indiana, with his two brothers and two sisters. There was no indoor plumbing or electricity until he was 15. He started work at an early age on the farm, then frying chicken at the Hilltop Restaurant in Spencer and working summers at the Canyon Inn at McCormick’s Creek State Park, where he could meet the exotic girls of Indiana and beyond. Seeking new experiences and opportunities, he joined the Army after high school and was stationed in Colorado and California, where he did office work, among other things.

After the Army, he moved to Indianapolis, where he met Janet Parker, who became his wife of 61 years. He also did a two-year business program and became a bookkeeper for Circle City Glass. What took him to Bloomington was the opportunity to start City Glass in 1973, with his wife and brother-in-law. He had a glass truck from Indy and cleverly came up with the name for his business by painting over the word “Circle.” The business was successful because of his ingenuity. It employed many members of his wife’s family, his brother and his own children, Many important buildings in Bloomington (especially at Indiana University) and beyond have glass that they installed. Working with the family eventually took its toll on him, and he retired at the ripe age of 55. He then became a snowbird, and he and his wife spent their winters in Crystal Lake Park in Naples, Florida, where they could be closer to their son and play cards with friends.

Don loved to travel, cook, garden, play golf, fish and tell great stories. He was a loyal IU basketball and football fan. He took his family on many trips. In the summers they would travel by motorhome and visited almost all of the 50 states and National Parks. Later on he spent time in Italy and Scotland, visiting his daughter and her family. He was a devoted member of the Stone Belt Shrine Club, serving as president in 1983. A proud wearer of the fez, he often took children in need to the Shriner Hospital in Louisville and also accompanied fifth graders to the Shrine Circus in Indianapolis. Whenever he cooked at the Club, it was always a great meal. Elaborate seafood dinners and smoked meat were his specialties. Unfortunately, he could never figure out how to ride the tiny motorcycles so that he could be in the parade.

Don is survived by his wife Janet (Parker) of Bloomington, daughter Susan Snyder and her husband, Stefano Fiorini, of Bloomington, son Donald Snyder, Jr., and wife Allison Jarmon Snyder of Parkland, Florida, grandsons Marco Fiorini, Ben Snyder and Alex Snyder, sisters Helen Meek of Cataract, Indiana, and Joann Weeks, of Stilesville, Indiana, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Aurel and Beulah (Winklepleck) Snyder, brothers Bob Snyder and Wayne Snyder, nephews Daniel Snyder, Roger Snyder and Tim Trackwell and nieces Cathy Parker and Loretta Savage. He will be dearly missed by his family. He gave them many wonderful memories and taught them so much.

Don will be honored in a celebration of life at Day and Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E. 3rd Street, Bloomington, Indiana, 47401, on Thursday, June 2nd, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. In honor of his life, do not put off your next adventure.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com for the Snyder family.