Eugene Raphael Snyders

Eugene Raphael Snyders, age 86, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away on January 11, 2025.

Born on October 11, 1938, in Batchtown, Illinois, to Raphael and Phyllis Snyders, Gene was the eldest of five children. He graduated from Brussels High School before attending the University of Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 1960. Gene honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1963 as a First Lieutenant, where he flew Sikorsky helicopters. He continued his service in the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Captain, until 1969.

Gene was married in 1964 and was the proud father of five children. He began his accounting career at Lewis and Clark Community College in Alton, Illinois, while earning both a Master of Science in Education and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Gene later worked at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny and held accounting positions with the St. Bonaventure Secular Franciscans and Corpus Christi Catholic Community in Detroit, Michigan. He retired in 2016 and returned to Iowa.

Gene is survived by his children, Gina Snyders (Adil), Cathy Gray (Dave), Terri Crumley (Tim), Jeff Snyders (April), and Bill Snyders; his siblings, Bonnie Franke, Don Snyders (Peggy), and Phil Snyders (Eva); nine grandchildren, Riley Gray (Emma), Patrick Gray (Whitney), Mary Gray, Evan Gray, Ian Crumley, Ella Crumley, Sophie Snyders, Luke Snyders, Yasmine Snyders; five great-grandchildren, Eberlinn, Adalee, Macallan, Weylin and Finleann Gray; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his former spouse, Deanna Zahrli Snyders, his sister, Joyce Titus, and brothers-in-law, Norman Titus and Jim Franke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 7075 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34025 Veterans Memorial Drive in Adel.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the exceptional team of caregivers and hospice nurses at Mill Pond Senior Living Community for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Mill Pond Care Center, 1201 SE Mill Pond Ct, Ankeny, Iowa 50021. Please indicate "Eugene Snyders Memorial" on donations.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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