Rev. J. David Snyder 1947-2021

Pastor Dave was born Jan. 2, 1947, in Altoona, Pa. He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1965. It was there he met his wife of 53 years, Irma Ipsa Snyder.

Dave graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, Mo., in 1969 with a Bachelor of Music Education. After graduation, he was led by God to go into full-time ministry and began serving at First Assembly of God in Kenosha, Wis., as youth and music minister. In 1971, he was called to serve at his “hometown” church, First Assembly of God in Warren. He served there for 10 years in many roles, including youth and music pastor, interim school administrator, and associate pastor and began a counseling ministry. During his years in Warren, he graduated with a Master of Divinity from Ashland Seminary.

In 1981, he joined the staff at Emerge Ministries, a Christian counseling center in Akron, where he served as vice president of field ministry and merchandise and also adjunct faculty member for classes with Ashland Seminary. He counseled clients and did weekend seminars, as well as speaking in churches around the country. In 1987, he was called to serve as senior pastor at Calvary Temple in Sandusky. In addition to pastoring, he spent many hours counseling individuals and families and began a divorce recovery group at the church. He also was on the local radio station, WLEC, for many years, with a five-minute devotional every morning at 6 a.m. called “Your Prayertime.” He served a number of years as Presbyter for the North Central Area, Ohio Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God. He retired from full-time ministry in 2011 and did interim pastoral ministry for churches in North Central Ohio until 2019.

While in Sandusky, he was involved within the community and was a president of the Sandusky Lions Club, president of Sandusky Area Minister’s Association, board member of Goodwill Industries, board member of Sandusky / Erie County Community Foundation, and an adviser for Firelands Mental Health Center.

Dave is survived by his devoted wife, Irma; children, Eric (Sonya) Snyder and Krista (Michael) Chambers; and eight grandchildren.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Walter and Ida May Snyder.

Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in the chapel at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Calvary Church at the above address.

To leave the family an online condolence, please visit: SnyderFuneralHome.com.

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