Ellen Elizabeth Snyder, a longtime pastor’s wife, died January 11. She was 89.
Ellen, who trusted Christ as her Savior at a young age, was passionate about her faith and shared the gospel with people who came across her path. While serving at a rescue mission, she met her future husband, Bruce Snyder. They married in 1958 and served faithfully together at several churches for over 60 years.
They served at Auburn (Indiana) Bible Baptist Church, where Bruce was pastor, and then Emmanuel Baptist Church, Toledo, Ohio, where Bruce became associate pastor in 1965. Bruce and Ellen were next pastor and wife at Calvary Baptist Church, Churubusco, Indiana (1968–1969); Faith Baptist Church, Elida, Ohio (1971–1975); Maranatha Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio (1984–1988); Montana Avenue Baptist Church, Caldwell, Idaho (1988–1995); and First Baptist Church, Horseheads, New York (1995–2003). Bruce also served as Emmanuel’s associate pastor on two additional occasions: 1975–1984 and 2003–2014. Bruce was named emeritus pastor of Emmanuel in 2014 and continued to serve the church in retirement.
In addition to her role as pastor’s wife, Ellen, a 1959 graduate of Bob Jones University, was a teacher. She taught home economics at Emmanuel Christian School in Toledo. She also developed a curriculum to teach toddlers in the church nursery. Teaching young children from the time they could sit in a chair and seeing them quote Bible verses was one of her greatest joys. Additionally, Ellen mentored future pastors’ wives while their husbands attended seminary.
Because of her love for Christ and anticipation of seeing her Savior face-to-face, Ellen, along with her husband, adopted the motto “Perhaps today.” That motto is now her reality. Ellen would say that death is not the end. It is just the beginning for those who trust Christ as their Savior.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce, on January 24, 2024.
She is survived by her five children, Brenda (Bob) Shawver, Bruce (Janice) Snyder, Brent (Sharon) Snyder, Beth (Darrin) White, and Brian (Cindy) Snyder; 16 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
