Jan B. (Simmons) Snyder

Jan Snyder, 73, of Kokomo, IN, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 14th, 2022. Jan was born on March 11th, 1949, to Bob and Joan Simmons (Kirkpatrick) in Kokomo, Indiana at St. Joseph Hospital. Jan was the youngest of 4, and a fraternal twin.

Jan was the full-time church secretary for Chapel Hill Christian Church for 22 years until she retired in 2011. She previously worked for the Bloomington, IN Chamber of Commerce, and Grace United Methodist Church. During her time at Chapel Hill, Jan made many friends over the years and enjoyed seeing the youth grow up there.

Jan married Cliff Snyder in 1995, at Chapel Hill Christian Church. Jan and Cliff had a wonderful life together, and cherished time spent with family the most. Jan was a great hostess. She enjoyed hosting parties and showers any time she could, sometimes making up reasons for parties, like her themed “What About Bob?” parties. A softhearted, generous person, Jan strived to make people feel welcomed, and she loved to give thoughtful gifts. Jan enjoyed decorating her home, especially for Christmas. She also enjoyed baking, Bible study, travel, drawing, and music. Jan loved being “Nana” to her two grandsons and enjoyed spending much of her retirement with them.

In her younger years, Jan and twin sister Jill spent summers traveling to wherever their father, Bob Simmons, was building a golf course, like Florida, Canada, and the Bahamas. It was extra special when Jan’s older siblings, Robby and Cinda were able to come along. Jan had a fun childhood and lots of friends growing up on West Sycamore, and she graduated from Kokomo High School in 1967. Sisters Jan, Jill and Cinda remained very close through the years, talking every day and often going on day trips, shopping, out to eat or just going for a drive.

Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

As if seeing through the eyes of Jesus, Jan tried to always see the best in people. She continually gave respect, love, encouragement, and support to friends and family, even when she didn’t feel well. Jan’s family will miss her sweet smile, sense of humor, and laugh, until we meet again.

The family would like to thank Sam, Quincy, Trysta, Becca and the others who cared so sweetly for Jan at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo in her final days.

Jan is survived by her sisters, Cinda (Dale) Rutherford, Jill (Roy) Horton; brother-in-law Gene (Ellen) Snyder; sister-in-law Jeanette (John) Snyder; her children, Sarah (Craig) Swoverland, John Bitner, step-children, Aaron (Marcie) Snyder, and Adam Snyder; her grandsons, Ari and Ian Swoverland; nieces, Andrea (Rich) Connell, Allison (Ryan) Chaplin, Jen (Chad) Edwards, Liz (Joe) Clabaugh, Amy (Chad) Jagger, nephew Brent (Rosie) Rutherford; great nieces and nephews, Olivia Rutherford, Amanda Rutherford, Roman and Riley Clabaugh, and Laine Noel.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Cliff Snyder; parents, Bob and Joan (Kirkpatrick) Simmons; brother, Jack “Robby” Simmons; and brothers-in-law Dale Rutherford and John Snyder.

A funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Tuesday November 22, 2022, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Steve Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Sharpsville Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10 am to 12 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Chapel Hill Christian Church.  Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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