March 28, 1936-September 3, 2021

Larry Gene Snyder, 85, of South Bend, passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021 in Pentwater, Michigan.  He was born on March 28, 1936 in South Bend, to the late Raymond Sr. and Rosina Snyder and lived there most of his life. He previously lived on Academy Place, Portage Road, Sandybrook Road and Lilac Road in South Bend, and also lived in Fort Myers Beach. FL, Blueridge Mountains, GA and Pentwater, MI.

On June 27, 1959, he married Sue Woods and they had five children; Barry, Terry, Garry, Sandy Ann and Kerry.  Larry worked for Riverside Manor Corporation before starting his own home building business, Snyder Home Builders.

He was baptized at St. Matthew Cathedral and attended grade school there thru 4th grade, then went to Madison Elementary 5th through 9th grade and Central High School from 10th to 12th grade.  He student taught at Studebaker and Central schools in South Bend and also worked at Bendix Products in the blueprint department.  Larry went on to graduate from Ball State University.  In 1957 he worked with his brother to start Portage Sunoco (no pay).  He was the president of the Home Builders Association and started hands-on high school construction classes.  In 1967 he was a Wheaton Van Lines franchisee and bought Calvert Farm and developed Sandybrook and Sandyhill subdivisions.  In 1974, he built new homes for his parents and brother.  He was the Chet Waggoner Little League President, Dist. Umpire #33, a sponsor and coach and a Chet Waggoner Portage Board Member.  In 1974, Larry built the existing Chet Waggoner Little League Park on Riverside Drive.  He was also Babe Ruth BB President, sponsor and coach. 

Larry moved to Ft. Myers, FL in 1989.  He loved living there as he enjoyed boating in his fountain boat “Cover Girl.”  He really enjoyed having family and friends down to go boating and fishing, etc.  He married Cathy Pawlak on his boat on May 28, 1992, right in front of the Sanibel Lighthouse.  Larry and Cathy did several interesting things…they had a stained glass overlay business and did beautiful work and designs in custom homes and churches of which they won a design award.  Then they shifted to cars.  They were very well-known all over the country for their import car customization.  They along with Brian and Tim customized hundreds of cars - including cars in the Fast & Furious movies.  Their cars were featured in many magazines & TV specials.  Larry always loved people and his family.  He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.  His giving nature and love for people was always on display.  He will be sorely missed but God has called him home as his mission here is finished.

Retirement was never in Larry’s plans.  He always found something to do.  Age however slowed him down a little as well as the cancer.  But he rode his bike every day, loved tennis and shuffle board and fishing, BUT HIS LIFETIME LOVE WAS BASEBALL!  

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from noon until 2:00 p.m. in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, IN, where a funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m.  To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

09/10/2021 JFC