Merle Snyder

Merle Alfred Snyder, 88, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Friday, January 13, 2012, at the Cass County Hospice Center in Atlantic, Iowa.

He was born October 8, 1923, to Arthur R. and Adrian Imo (Ryan) Snyder in Palmayra, Missouri. Merle graduated from high school in Liberty, Illinois, in 1941. He married Anabeth King in 1941 and to this union three sons were born, Merlin, Gary and Julian. In 1953, Merle was united in marriage to Leota Pont in Omaha, Nebraska. They remained married until she passed away in February 2005. On November 7, 2005, Merle was united in marriage to Dolores McNutt-Hansen in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Merle was somewhat of a traveler and after high school he moved to Roseville, IL where he farmed for about five years. He then moved to Monmouth, IL for a few years and later to Omaha, NE. While in Omaha, he worked at Texaco for 14 to 15 years. At this time in his life he bought three chimpanzees, Micki, Micki Ray and Micki Jay, and became an animal trainer traveling the United States doing school shows with the chimpanzees. In the early 1970s he moved to Wiota, IA to work with Haven's Car Wash Industries. In 1976 he bought a building in Wiota, remodeled it and opened the Wiota Steakhouse. Merle owned and operated the restaurant until 1995 when he retired.

He enjoyed playing golf, playing gin, all sports, the "Romeos" dinner club, doing crossword puzzles daily, his family and Micki, Micki Ray and Micki Jay. Merle was a Mason for 52 years and a past Mason Master. He was also a member of the Marne Eastern Star, as well as a member of the Tangier Shrine in Omaha for 50 years. He was a life long member of the United Methodist Church. Merle served as Mayor of Wiota in the past.

Merle is survived by his wife, Dolores (Lori) Snyder of Atlantic, Iowa; his sons, Merlin D. Snyder, Gary L. Snyder and Marla, and Julian and wife, Barbara Snyder all of Indianapolis, IN; his step-daughters, Mary and husband Shon Young, of Lewis, IA, Patricia Hansen of Atlantic, IA and Joni Bieker of Atlantic, IA; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Idella Anderson of Moline, IL; sister's-in-law, Claudia Snyder of Monmouth, IL, Helen Pont of Griswold, IA, Helen McNutt of McCook, NE, Mary McNutt of Broken Arrow, OK and Rita Tyson of Black Foot, ID; brother-in-law, Herb and Kae McNutt of Kearney, NE; special friends, Gene and Penny Pont of Atlantic, IA and Karl and Lorene Aldag of Atlantic, IA; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Leota; brothers, Melvin and Roger; brothers-in-law, Sidney Anderson, Murel McNutt, Gerald McNutt and Ottas Tyson.

The family requests memorials to the Heritage House.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Atlantic, IA with a visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Family will greet friends in the church fellowship hall for lunch following the memorial service.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.